FACES Issue No. 129

Celebrating

47 TH NATIONAL DAY

of Oman

Oman Avenues Mall

is attempting a world record by building the

LARGEST 3D FLAG built exclusively from LEGO ® Bricks.

Be part of this amazing ground breaking attempt on the 18th of November’2017.

Issue 129, November 2017

Family Attitude Class Entertainment Success

Editor’s Note H

ealth, we are told, is not merely the absence of disease. According to the principles listed by the constitution of World Health Organisation, ‘health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease of infirmity.’

Founder / Essa Bin Mohammed Al Zedjali Chairman & Editor-in-Chief / Mohammed Issa Al Zedjali

Health goes beyond the precincts of infections, ailments and maladies; it is a sense of wellbeing, one that is perpetrated by a sense of general wellness that covers both mind and body. While this broadens the scope of health on different levels, what it also does is place the onus of one’s health in one’s hands. Just like the body requires a well-balanced diet that is designed to give it all the essential nutrients, the mind also needs sustenance to keep stress and its associated ills at bay.

Chief Executive Officer / Ahmed Essa Al Zedjali Business Director / Sophia Raman Editorial Consultant / Suzy Fontes Art Director / Pushpender K. Sharma Operations / M.V.V. Sagar

This issue of FACES explores the importance of realising the health goals - mental health and physical wellbeing – as two sides of the wellness coin.

‘Health, Wellness & Weight Management’ is the crux of this November issue, as it paves the way for you, our dear reader, to enjoy the last part of the year on a fit scale. The cover story presents a guideline with expert comments on how to tackle health on a lifestyle platform. From fitness regimens at different ages of life to tips on maintaining a healthy lifestyle, this issue has been designed to act as a spur to bring about requisite changes in your life.

Published By / Muscat Media Group

feast ON

PB 770, PC 112, Ruwi, Oman Tel: +968 24 811953 . Fax: +968 24 813153 Printed At / Oriental Printing Press Tel: +968 24816952, 24815330

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‘FACES Magazine, Oman’

Start now to begin your new year on a right, healthy note, with wellness on your agenda.

Say ‘hello’ to a fit November!

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Copyright 2017 FACES / All material published remains the copyright of FACES. No part of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of the publisher. FACES cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited manuscripts, photographs or other material.

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FACES Features 12 Cover Story

Work up a sweat, as experts propound the virtues of a healthy lifestyle and throw the spotlight on regular workouts to stay on top of the game

16 In Conversation

Chad Zlateff of FitnessGuru Oman has made workout a personal affair with his ‘Train Anywhere, Anytime’ credo

18 In The Spotlight -

Al Mouj Muscat Marathon to be held from January 18 to 19, 2018, will witness an exciting new format The race is on to book a place for Oman’s increasingly popular Mussanah Race Week, as registration opens for the 2018 event in January

20 Centre Stage

Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar, the plush Resort atop the Jabal Akhdar mountain, celebrated its first anniversary, recently

22 Feast On

The pretty Penny’s Café on the colourful 18th November Street endorses all that the clichéd idiom ‘worth every penny’ signifies

24 Let’s Cook -

-

Enjoy a guilt-free meal with these easy to cook healthy recipes Simran Dhanju carries the Diwali light forward with two popular Indian desserts

FACES Health

27 Healthy Tiding

Find out what is making news in the world of medicine

FACES Travel

30 Explore Oman The Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with other tourism entities in the country,

has developed facilities to boost tourism in different governorates of the country

32 Just Travel

Experience a lease of wellness at a nature inspired retreat to replace work ennui with an awakening of mind, body and soul

FACES Style 28 In The Luxe

Hardcore fitness enthusiasts may need no reason to patronise pricey gadgets and equipments, but the ones who have the moolah and love all things fine, have the pick of the litter, so to say

34 Look Good

Beauty does start from inside out, for, your beauty quotient is, in many ways, dependent on the foods that make up your everyday diet

36 Style File -

As you welcome winter with the usual pleasantries, get a grip on your wardrobe to rock the season in style Malabar Gold & Diamonds festive collection

FACES Elements 48 At Home

Add a workout extension to the ‘home-sweet-home’ concept to make your living space a sanctuary for your body and mind

50 Relatively Speaking Meditation, the silent art of connecting with ones inner self and with the universe itself, is a perfect salve to de-stress and reconnect with family

52 Mandate

Your fitness requirements keep changing with age

FACES SPECIAL

42 Fitness Special

The present day lifestyle chants - eat healthy, exercise regularly, sleep adequately, get outdoors, meet friends, have meaningful leisure activities – are all about balancing your physical wellbeing with mental wellness

FACES Razzmatazz 08 Star Light

Presenting Ken, Dr. Ken Jeong

10 Razzle Dazzle Latest celebrity gossip from the world of Hollywood

11 Tittle Tattle

Heard through the grapevine...

FACES Digest

58 Movies & Books Reviews of upcoming movies and books

60 Gadget Notes Roundup of new gadgets in the market

REGISTER ONLINE T O D A Y!

1ST DECEMBER

8AM, QURUM PARK REGISTER ON BEATDIABETES.ME

Häagen-Dazs Opens in Oman Avenues Mall Good news for ice-cream lovers. Häagen-Dazs recently celebrated the official opening of its luxurious café in Oman Avenues Mall.

A first-of-its-kind in the Sultanate, the spacious café features a full menu of indulgent creations,in addition to its range of perfectly balanced ice cream flavours. Sadiq Al Lawati, Director of Mehdi Group, which brought the iconic brand to Oman, said: “This Häagen-Dazs® café not only raises the bar for indulgent desserts, but creates its own segment in the food and beverage industry in Oman. I am confident that we will have a strong consumer base in the country.” The vibrant shop has a sleek open concept design, perfect for enjoying a sweet treat with friends and family. Offering guests the world’s best ice cream, the café’s menu boasts 20 flavours, as well as specialty creations with waffles, crepes, and even hot chocolate that use only natural ingredients.

Samba Soccer at Al Mazaar Saturdays are set to get exciting for children with the launch of Samba Soccer training programme for children, every Saturday from November 4. Held in collaboration with Pro11 Academy, for children between the ages of 4 and 16, the weekly training will take place at the Al Mazaar Edutainment Centre. A mix between Futsal and Beach football, Samba Soccer has been played in Brazil for several years with many of the sport’s greatest players having displayed the benefits of this style of training on the world stage.

The Pro11 Academy puts a huge emphasis on ball mastery and making players technically comfortable to receive the ball in all areas and under any pressured situation. Samba Soccer Training will be held every Saturday in three batches, and splits based on age group. Training for children aged 4 – 8 years takes place from 9am to 10am, followed by 10am to 11am for children aged 9 – 12 years and from 11am to 12noon for children aged 13 – 16 years.

Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts signs third Muscat hotel Capitalising on the city’s growing importance as a regional hub for tourism and trade, Mövenpick Hotel Muscat Airport has revealed its plans to operate its third property in Muscat. The hospitality company has inked an agreement with Oman’s Golden Group of Companies to manage the 370-key Mövenpick Hotel Muscat Airport, part of a new upscale mixed-use project under development near Muscat International Airport, which will also feature retail and commercial space covering 3,000sqm and 10,000sqm, respectively, when it opens in 2021. It expands Mövenpick’s inventory pipeline to almost 1,000 keys countrywide, after deals to operate Mövenpick Hotel & Apartments Al Azaiba Muscat and Mövenpick Hotel Bausher Muscat were recently signed. The three properties will capitalise on Oman’s growing importance as a regional hub for business and leisure tourism, spurred by the development of new infrastructure that ranges from conference centres to cruise terminals.

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November 2017

Sundus Rotana to Open in November Muscat’s vibrant landscape has a new addition. Sundus Rotana has announced that it is in the final stage of preparations to open its doors in Muscat this November. Bringing decades of hospitality expertise to the Sultanate’s capital, the new upscale 4-star hotel will augment Rotana’s presence in Oman as part of its ambitious expansion strategy in the Middle East, Africa, South Asia and Eastern Europe. Located just minutes away from Muscat International Airport and the Oman Convention and Exhibition Center, Sundus Rotana Muscat will boast 215 rooms and offer residents and tourists the Rotana legacy of culinary excellence through three signature restaurants, including the Lobby Lounge café, Ginger all day dining and a fusion fine dining restaurant Teatro. In addition, the hotel will also feature six flexible meeting and conference rooms with an elegant ballroom, as well as a state-of-the-art Bodylines Fitness & Wellness Club to name but a few. The new hotel is the second property for Rotana in Oman, after the opening of Salalah Rotana Resort in early 2014, bringing up the total number of Rotana keys in the Sultanate to 615.

SalamAir flies to Doha this November In response to an increasing demand, SalamAir will start flying to Doha from November 22nd. Operating five weekly flights from Muscat International Airport to Hamad International Airport, the new route will offer guests convenient timing, affordable travel alternatives to the Qatari capital and connectivity to a wider network of destinations. Guests can now book their tickets on www.SalamAir.com “With the launch of our eighth destination, I am proud to say that we are taking one step closer to achieving what we envision for the airline by increasing connectivity to thriving tourism, commercial and economic hubs in the region,” said Captain Mohamed Ahmed, CEO of SalamAir. The CEO went on to explain that as a young airline, SalamAir enjoys the advantage of flexibility, which allows it to shift and adapt its services to cater to demands. To date, all SalamAir destinations have been determined by what guests want and as a result, the airline operates successful destinations including Salalah, Suhar, Dubai, Medina, Jeddah, Sialkot and Karachi.

Ultimate Triathlon Training Camp at Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa has teamed up with world class triathlete Faris Al-Sultan for the ultimate swim-bike-run training camp. Ironman World Championship winner Faris-Al Sultan will host training camp weekend, which takes place from 11 - 14 January, 2018. Speaking ahead of the training weekend, Faris Al-Sultan said, “Surrounded by natural beauty in such a stunning setting, Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa is the perfect location for a triathlon camp. The hotel’s private beach and sheltered bay are idea for swimming drills, while the hills and leading to the resort provide the perfect terrain and routes both for running and cycling training.” Guests will be treated like superstar athletes and undergo sessions focusing on special skills to improve and conquer all aspects of a swim-bike-run challenge

November 2017

7

Doctor in the house Presenting Ken, Dr. Ken Jeong…

He is a doctor.

He is an actor.

He is an actor who has played a doctor.

That is Ken Jeong, the popular comedian with a medical background and a television series where he plays a doctor.

Jeong, best known for his role as comic gangster Leslie Chow in ‘The Hangover’ trilogy, and as Ben Chang and himself in the television series ‘Community’ and ‘Dr. Ken’, respectively, is a doctor, specialised in internal medicine. He gave up, rather pressed the pause button on his medical profession, to give vent to his passion for acting and comedy.

Recalling those early days, he’d said: “During the day, I was a doctor. At night, you know, I was a comic. And it was really just to let off some steam.

It just became my golf, you know, in many ways. Most doctors have golf as a hobby. Mine was doing comedy.”

But he wouldn’t let it be known that he was moonlighting as a comedian, as he was completely

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November 2017

serious as a doctor. “I would bark orders to my nurses. I was hard-core.

I wanted to make sure I did my job right. I was perfectly trained to be a physician.” That was until his first appearances on BET ComicView.

Things changed altogether for the doctor…

Born Kendrick Kang-Joh Jeong, on July 13, 1969, in Detroit, to South Korean immigrants, he attended Walter Hines Page High School, where he was a part of the Quiz Bowl team and played violin in the orchestra. He graduated from Duke University in 1990 and obtained his M.D. from the University of North Carolina. It was during his internal medicine residency in New Orleans that he initiated his journey as a stand-up comedian. In 1995, he won the Big Easy Laff-Off, and the judges, NBC president Brandon Tartikoff and The Improv founder Budd Friedman, urged him to move to Los Angeles to strengthen his passion for comedy.

And he did. He moved to Los Angeles and continued practicing as a physician, while

performing regularly at The Improv and Laugh Factory comedy clubs.

It was, in many ways, his wife, also a physician, who prodded him towards a full time acting career. Tran Ho, a Vietnamese American and a breast cancer survivor, encouraged him to quit his job as a physician and pursue acting full-time. Talking about those days, Jeong told an entertainment magazine, “I had just finished filming Knocked Up, and it was life-changing. But I didn’t have the courage to go for it until she persuaded me. Medicine is a hard-won skill, and acting can be a fickle profession, so I tried to be realistic. Now, I’m a spoiled actor. I get weekends off and hiatus weeks — time I never got as a doctor.”

He made his film debut in Judd Apatow’s Knocked Up as Dr. Kuni, following which he made a complete transition from medicine to acting.

It was his role as Mr. Chow in The Hangover that turned him into a true Hollywood star. As he puts it, “The Hangover changed my life from black-and-white to Technicolour.”

GET HOME SAFE

HANDS ON THE WHEEL EYES ON THE ROAD Safe MIND ON DRIVING

Scarlett Johansson sheds tears

Matt Damon’s ‘family emergency’

Scarlett Johansson shed tears as she learned the tragic fate of her ancestors in World War II. In an interview with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. for an episode of PBS Finding Your Roots, she talks about discovering that her great-great uncle died in the Warsaw ghetto in Poland during the Nazi invasion. While her Jewish great-grandfather worked as a grocer in New York City, his brother and the family died in a prison-like setting. The series uses traditional genealogical research and genetics to discover the family history of well-known Americans.

Matt Damon pulled out of BAFTA LA event following reports that his father was taken gravely ill. Damon was scheduled to receive the Stanley Kubrik Britannia Award for Excellence at the BAFTA LA event. He later confirmed that he had cancelled his honour appearance due to a ‘family emergency’ in a short video clip in which he apologised for his late withdrawal. “I was really looking to tonight, but I have to go back to Boston for a family emergency. I am really sorry not to be there tonight. Thank you for this wonderful honour. I hope you have a lovely evening. See you soon,” he said in the video.

Prince Harry’s ‘ideal girl’

Prince Harry is said to have set his sights on his girlfriend Meghan Markle long before they were introduced by a mutual friend. Harry is believed to have first seen the actress in the legal drama ‘Suits’ two years before actually meeting her.

According to sources, he is believed to have asked their mutual friend Markus Anderson to arrange a meeting when Meghan was in London in July 2016 to watch Serena Williams play at Wimbledon.

Selena Gomez talks about her life saving surgery Selena Gomez has revealed that she could have died if it wasn’t for the kidney operation she had recently.

The singer, who has battled with autoimmune condition lupus, said it got to the point where it was a matter of life or death. It was her best friend who came to her rescue. Selena revealed that her friend Francia Raisa donated one of her kidneys to her. The secret transplant operation took place in mid September.

Simon Cowell’s emergency brain scan

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November 2017

Simon Cowell had to undergo an emergency brain scan after he was found unconscious at the bottom of his staircase by his security team. Cowell had fainted and fallen down the stairs when he went to fetch some hot milk in the early morning. His bodyguards were alerted by the noise and rushed in to find that he had collapsed.

Paramedics arrived soon after and took him to hospital using a special spinal board to keep his neck and spine in place. At the hospital he was given a brain scan; fortunately, everything was okay and he was discharged soon after. However, he now has to wear a blood pressure monitor to keep track of his heart.

Tittle

a

“40 years ago my therapist asked me what my fantasy is…I told her walking on the beach being my authentic self.”

- Caitlyn Jenner’s Instagram caption on a photograph showing off her swimsuit body.

“What the membership model allows us to do is really understand our customer and create brand loyalty, which is what we are finding it has created…”

- Kate Hudson reveals what she thinks is the driving force behind making her retail company ‘Fabletics’ a hit.

“It truly warms my heart that people had so much to say about this bodysuit.”

- Taylor Swift’s Instagram post following the backlash from critics about her nude bodysuit for her ‘Ready For It?’ music video.

“I walked out without anything and had to make it on my own for my family and everyone; so I just went back to work for myself, the Proud Mary star, who has been married to Erwin Bach since 2013.”

- Tina Turner recalled the terrifying night she risked her life to escape ex husband Ike Turner, during The Jonathan Ross Show.

“A follow-up visit to my doctors today confirmed that I will be good to go from the Singapore shows onwards. Osaka, Tokyo and Manila will be rescheduled for April 2018. My dates in Taipei, Seoul, Hong Kong and Jakarta will sadly need to be cancelled as it’s just been impossible to reschedule these for next year.”

- Ed Sheeran announces rescheduled tour dates after the biking accident that forced him to postpone several November July 2017 tour dates.

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cover STORY

Work up a sweat, as experts propound the virtues of a healthy lifestyle and throw the spotlight on regular workouts to stay on top of the game

A bunch of sprightly workouts A bowl of green vegetables A cup of mixed fruits A handful of proteins and cereals A scoop of peaceful meditation A huge dose of outdoors…

The list of ingredients, to whip up a perfectly seasoned life of health and wellness is, seemingly, endless. The methods, all the more so.

What permutations and combinations work for one may not be relevant for another, for whatever reason – whether it is heredity, environment, lifestyle or simply one’s personality. Yet, despite the obvious differences, there are certain health diktats that cut through every kind of difference. They are, rather universal don’ts, like quit smoking, which knows no demarcations when it comes to adapting a healthy lifestyle. While a healthy lifestyle has certain universal consensus, what is still debatable is where one draws the line.

How much

12

November 2017

exercise is prescribable for an average man/woman?

What are the food requirements to stay in shape? What lifestyle aspects will bring about overall wellness and establish ones healthy status?

In its Good Health Guide, SHA Wellness Clinic, which has a global presence, notes that there is a tendency to ingest excessive spices, which increase levels of sugar in blood, leading to possible diabetes and obesity. Spicy food also weakens the digestive strength. According to SHA nutritionists, ingestion of raw foods, including an excess of sugar-heavy fruits and dates, either fresh or dried, and irregular eating habits also play a major part in digestive woes and the team urge a boost in the consumption of fresh vegetable soups, as well as fixed routines for eating times.

cover STORY Assimilate these healthy eating habits into your lifestyle: Replace refined products with natural, organic equivalents As far as possible, use organic vegetables to reap benefits of their nutrients Include whole grains such as millet, rice or buckwheat in diet Start the day with a glass of warm water with lemon to release toxins, activate the metabolism and strengthen immune system. l Replace coffee with infusions. There are many natural and delicious alternatives such as parsley, green tea, apples, beetroot, leafy greens and chlorella, all of which can be easily made into drinks (smoothies) and infusions to detox the liver, hydrate the body and reduce cholesterol levels. l Add turmeric, known as the queen of spices, to every meal including soups, rice, pasta and sauces. Rich in curcumin, it may prevent diseases such as arthritis, cancer and Alzheimer’s, as well as being a powerful anti-inflammatory that inhibits infections. l Replace processed snacks with healthy home-made snacks. Instead of buying an energy bar in the supermarket, eat fruit, nuts, or make a smoothie.

l l l l

While these dietary requirements are easy to incorporate into the family’s everyday meals, it is common to experience a sense of ennui with the surplus of information on the Internet. For, when it comes to health, the ‘do this don’t do that’ chorus, invariably, never ends.

But health cannot be dismissed as an overhyped topic…

November 2017

13

cover STORY

Are you in the pink of health?

Understand the subtle connection between lifestyle and health, as Dr. Ruqaiya Al Balushi*, a Clinical Dietician at the Ministry of Health and a visiting consultant at the Nutrition and Food department at Sultan Qaboos University, provides her perspective on the myriad facets of health, in the following e-interview How would you describe health – is it merely the absence of diseases?

Different people look and describe health from different perspectives.

Health should be seen as more than an absence of disease. The WHO gave us a clear and simple definition of heath: ‘It is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.’

Is health also about strengthening one’s immunity against common diseases as well as chronic lifestyle related ailments?

The immune system is our natural defence system. It is made up of a number of cells, tissues and organs that protects our body against bacteria, viruses, fungus, etc. So, if we have a strong immune system, the possibility of getting an infection is less than if we

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have a weak immune system. We can keep our immune system strong by following a healthy lifestyle. These include:

techniques to improve outcomes in people who are at risk of developing chronic diseases or those who already have any type of chronic diseases.

l Not smoking l Eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables and whole grains, and low in saturated fat l Regular exercise l Maintaining a healthy body weight l Getting adequate sleep Diet and lifestyle have been blamed for a variety of diseases, including cardiovascular and cancer. What are the factors that make one vulnerable to such chronic diseases?

This is absolutely true. Poor lifestyle such as unhealthy diet, smoking, overconsumption of alcohol, lack of physical activity are main contributors in increasing the rate of obesity, and thus, the development of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Despite an understanding of the benefits of following a healthy lifestyle, many people lack the behavioural skills they need to apply every day to sustain these good habits.

The good news is that healthy lifestyle modifications are possible with proper interventions such as dietary counselling, exercise and stress management

What is the impact of diet and lifestyle on health and wellness?

Our food choices today will affect our health today, tomorrow and the future. We are what we eat. Good diet is an important part of leading a healthy lifestyle. A healthy diet, combined with physical activity, can help you reach and maintain a healthy weight and thus reduce your risk of chronic diseases (such as diabetes, hypertension and heart diseases), and promote your overall health and wellness. By making smart food choices, you can help protect yourself from these health problems.

How much physical activity does a person need to follow to stay healthy?

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend the following for adults: To reduce the risk of chronic diseases in adulthood: Engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, above usual activity, at work or home on most days of the week.

To help manage weight and prevent gradual, unhealthy weight gain in adulthood: Engage in approximately 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity activity on most days of the week while not exceeding caloric intake requirements.

To sustain weight loss in adulthood: Participate in at least 60 to 90 minutes of

Please note that some may need to consult their Physician before participating in physical activity.

What are some of the diet dos and don’ts one needs to follow to be healthy?

There are many dos and don’ts to follow to be healthy and we should put in mind that the ‘one-size fits all’ is no more accepted nowadays. We are individualised in terms of our requirements and needs for nutrition.

But here are general guidelines that we all can follow:

* Do cut down on highly-processed foods and increase consumption of fresh and home cooked food. It is important to reduce, not necessarily eliminate, the consumption of processed foods that are high in chemicals, preservatives, sugar and trans fats. * Do eat plenty of vegetables.

They are low in calories but high in fibre, keeping you feeling fuller for longer. Plus, they are packed with antioxidants, which can help to boost your immunity, as well as keep your energy levels up. * Do drink plenty of water throughout your day. It is recommended to drink

about two-three litres, every day. This amount varies depending on activity level and climate. * Don’t skip breakfast. Start your day with a healthy breakfast that contains all the necessary food groups. * Don’t eat too much of red meat.

Reduce your consumption of red meat and, instead, choose lean protein sources such as chicken, and fish instead.

cover STORY

daily moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity while not exceeding caloric intake requirements.

* Don’t go grocery shopping hungry.

You will be tempted to buy more than you need and will buy unhealthier choices.

* Dr. Ruqaiya Al Balushi, PhD, has worked as an Assistant Professor in Clinical Nutrition at the Nutrition and Health Department, United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) and has served as the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and the Assistant Dean for Professional Development. She received her PhD in Clinical Nutrition from School of Medicine, University of Queensland in 2013. She worked as a clinical Dietician from 2003-2005 and the head of the dietetics department at Royal Hospital in Oman from 2005-2017. She was an active member in the Nutrition Support Committee at Royal Hospital and helped in planning the Enteral Nutrition Support protocols at Royal Hospital. She has a number of publications in peer reviewed journals and two book chapters. Her main goal is to increase the awareness about the importance of Nutrition in Oman.

Dietary Interventions Emerging evidence suggests that dietary-based intervention programmes can arrest or reverse the progression of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in prediabetic adults Following is a summary of a research titled ‘Primary Prevention of Prediabetes among Omani Young Adults’ by Dr. Mostafa I. Waly and Dr. Ruqaiya Al-Balushi of Food Science and Nutrition Department, CAMS, Sultan Qaboos University.

Prediabetes occurs before the fullblown onset of T2DM, and emerging evidence suggests that adults in a prediabetic stage could be intervened with dietary-based intervention programmes so that progression of T2DM can be arrested or reversed.

Recent clinical observations have suggested that there are large numbers of prediabetic people in the Gulf countries, including Oman; however, this previous research has focused solely on clinical populations showing a fully expressed diabetic pathology and with no focus on the impact of dietarybased intervention programmes in the primary prevention of prediabetes among this high risk groups of the adult population.

The defining diagnostic feature of T2DM is an abnormal glucose metabolism, categorised as ‘prediabetes’ in its early stage. An individual is considered to be prediabetic if he/she has a blood glucose level that is above normal, but below the diagnostic threshold for diabetes mellitus.

Prediabetes produces no symptoms, but it is a major risk factor for developing T2DM and its sequel, which include heart disease, stroke, and retinopathy. It has been estimated that a pre-diabetic person is 5 to 15 times more likely to develop type-2 diabetes mellitus compared to a person with normal blood glucose levels.

There is growing evidence that diet and lifestyle modifications are highly effective in delaying the onset of prediabetes or progression from prediabetes to T2DM, as suggested by recent clinical trials that dietary and lifestyle modifications can delay the onset of T2DM by an average of 11 years and reduce the incidence of new cases of T2DM by 20 percent. It is well known that the T2DM symptoms such as polyuria, polydipsia and polyphagia, may not be subjectively noted until some of the intransigent and refractory complications of diabetes emerge.

preventive interventions for combating the development of prediabetes to a fully diagnosed T2DM latter on life.

Our research aims to: (1) determine the impact of nutritional-based interventions on the biochemical profile and nutritional status of prediabetes adults as compared to control healthy subjects, (2) identify novel biochemical markers for early diagnosis and management of prediabetes. Finally, our research represents a promising channel for wide-scale dissemination of T2DM prevention in Oman.

Oman has a very high prevalence of T2DM, which is around 10 percent of total population and ranked 8 in the list of the 10 top countries for T2DM prevalence.

Although in Oman there is a welldeveloped health care infrastructure for screening and diagnosis of T2DM, yet there is no primary prevention programme for prediabetes. Accordingly, we have initiated a research study among college students at Sultan Qaboos University in order to shed light on biological mechanisms of prediabetes and to design effective

November 2017

15

in CONVERSATION

Oman’s Fitness Guru Chad Zlateff of FitnessGuru Oman has made workout a personal affair with his ‘Train Anywhere, Anytime’ credo

F

rom playing professional soccer to managing hotel recreation to teaching diving to structuring bespoke fitness workouts…Chad Zlateff’s chequered career has been anything but dull.

As the owner and head trainer of FitnessGuru Oman at present, it is all the more fascinating, with sporting activities jostling for space in his busy one-toone training circuits and event management of the fitness kind.

Having popularised the concept of individual training that takes away the drudgery of driving to a gym, finding a parking lot and then enduring the furtive glances from other users in the gym, he has, in many a ways, elevated workout from its confined setup to one that spells fun in the outdoors.

He has brought to FitnessGuru Oman his long association with sports by crafting individual workout programmes to inspire healthier lifestyle.

He says, “My career has always been somehow around the fitness/sport discipline. I have played soccer at the professional level, coached children in almost any sport, worked intensively with the Special Olympics gymnastics in the USA, alongside my late mother... I always enjoy a new challenge.”

His idea of coaching is all about constantly challenging and pushing the trainee to be a better person; one who has well imbibed the never-give-up attitude.“Failure is not an option!” he states.

Chad, who has been in Oman for close to a decade, has made personal training his fitness

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November 2017

mantra. This is reflective of his serious sporting background, which began when he started playing professional soccer in college. He continued playing even after, but his restless spirit was yearning for a change and he retired from soccer to move to Oman, where he joined Shangri La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa as the recreational director. A short stint later, he moved to his first love, sports - this time to diving. And since, as he puts it, he has “taught diving in almost every centre in Oman”.

Shortly after, FitnessGuru happened.

“The idea is to give individual attention,” he states, pointing out that the outfit is flexible enough to accommodate groups of four or even larger, if the candidates require it.

This has proven to be a boon for fitness enthusiasts who are otherwise restricted by their work schedules and time. As the FitnessGuru website states, they can transform any space into training ground. “The trainers are available 7 days a week, from as early as 6am to as late as 8pm. Whether you are 8 years old or 80, beach bum or aspiring athlete, we are here to help unleash your inner FitnessGuru.”

FitnessGuru has also opened its first independent Spinning Studio, which allows clients the facility of enjoying classes on a pay-as-you-go basis. It is a high intensity bike based workout great for burning calories and toning.

It also offers individually tailored yoga classes and has, under its wings, an expert swimming centre.

Since its inception in February 2016, FitnessGuru, which is based in Jebel Sifah, has taken on the responsibility of meeting the demands of all types of clients – from injury rehabilitation and training for events to losing weight

and maintaining shape. Plans are on now to make the concept of onestop shop for all fitness requirements a reality. Talking about his future plans, Chad states: “I am working towards a complete fitness company, including nutritionists. There will be supplement shops, various sportspecific training programmes, and, possibly, even rehabilitation services.

I expect the road to success to be bumpy, but then, nothing comes easy in this world!”

Chad, who lives in Oman with his wife Mareike and two children (4-year old daughter Zeeva and 3-year old son Rhys), attributes his passion for fitness and his goal-driven training programmes to the positivity he experiences in Oman, the country he has made home for the last ten years.

in CONVERSATION

Up Close & Personal With

Chad Zlateff

What I see when I look in the mirror...

A dreamer. I have dreams and I will stop at nothing to make them happen.

It’s not fashionable but I like...

Trail running shoes. Though not attractive, but necessary!

My greatest regret...

Not being nearer to my mom in her last years, to give her time with her grandchildren.

You may not know it but I’m no good at...

Paperwork!

The home I grew up in...

Was filled with love and companionship When I was a child I wanted to...

Be a professional soccer player (achieved).

The moment that changed me forever...

Being at my mother’s side at her passing! It made me realise the importance of family!

My greatest inspiration...

Is my wife! She does an amazing job balancing so many responsibilities.

My hero…

Steve Gleason! He has shown the world that you should Never Give Up #nowhiteflags.

If I could change one thing about myself...

I would change my endless desire for chocolate.

I dream of...

Watching my children grow up! With the modern work demands, there is just not enough time in the day.

You may not know it but I’m very good at…

Procrastinating.

If I have time to myself...

I am running, training, or sound asleep My house is...

Cosy.

My favourite haunt/holiday destination...

Indonesia.

My favourite weekend spot in Oman…

The Daymaniyat Islands.

I will not leave my house without…

Phone, 5 to 6 changes of clothes, food for the day, lots of water, sunglasses.

Five things I like about Oman…

The ocean, the beach, scuba diving, friends, the mountains.

On top of my wish/bucket list is...

Diving the Socorro islands of Mexico.

My success mantra is...

Nobody Cares, Work Harder!

In 10 years’ time, I hope to be...

Enjoying a bit more free time with my amazing family!

November 2017

17

in the SPOTLIGHT

,

I

n 2017, three parties came together to demonstrate that a team can be better than the sum of its parts: Muscat Road Runners, Al Mouj Muscat and Oman Sail. The partnership was an outstanding success, doubling the number of runners for the Al Mouj Muscat Marathon, increasing the number of Omani participants and raising the profile of the event locally, regionally and internationally.

Following the overwhelming interest last year, the Al Mouj Muscat Marathon will now be part of an extended two-day festival of running to be held on January 18 and 19, 2018. Thursday, the opening day, will be dedicated to a Kids Run for greater engagement with the next generation of runners. While Friday will see the established Marathon, Half Marathon and 10km Race complimented by two new categories: A Charity Fun Run and a Marathon Relay open to teams of four to six runners who will each run part of the full 42km course.

Building on the success of a record field in 2017, the Al Mouj Muscat Marathon will

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November 2017

new aspects of the race will offer new opportunities for Omani runners, local residents and international competitors of various ages and skill levels to compete and provide a new way to discover our beautiful country.

again benefit from the successful partnership of Oman Sail and Muscat Road Runners, the continued support of the title sponsor Al Mouj Muscat, the waterfront lifestyle destination; it has also received a boost from Tanfeedh, the Omani government’s economic diversification project, which has embraced the fastgrowing global sports tourism sector as one of its key initiatives.

Speaking at a press conference held to announce the seventh edition of the Marathon, Ahmed Al Malki, Chairman of Muscat Road Runners, said, “Our partnership with Oman Sail, and the title sponsorship of Al Mouj Muscat, has enabled the event to reach new heights. The exciting

“In 2017, the marathon took place on one day and saw participants more than double from the 2016 race- from 600 to 1,290. Of this, the number of Omani runners increased from 51 in 2016 to 246 earlier this year. This phenomenal increase shows the appetite of the Omani people to try new activities, dedicate themselves to training and push themselves to excel.”

In the new running categories, the Marathon Relay is primarily aimed at corporate teams but is open to everybody. The Kids Run will feature three courses: 1km for children born in 2010 and 2011; 2.5km for those born in 2008 and 2009; and 4km for those born 2006 and 2007.

For the 5km Charity Fun Run, an official charity organisation will be identified and announced to allow competitors to run for a cause.

The 2018 Al Mouj Muscat Marathon routes are currently being finalised.

To register for it, please visit http:// muscatmarathon.om

The race is on to book a place for Oman’s increasingly popular Mussanah Race Week, as registration opens for the 2018 event in January

N

ow going into its eighth edition, the Oman Sail organised regatta has, year-on-year, since 2011, attracted a growing number of young international sailors to the worldclass Mussanah Sports City venue.

The 2017 event saw fierce competition out on the water, involving more than 120 youthful racers representing 20 countries, including Argentina, Australia, Germany, Hungary, Malta, Peru, Singapore and Sweden. The many Omani sailors taking part distinguished themselves, taking four gold medals from the seven finals held.

With Mussanah Race Week entries limited, competition for a place at the event in 2018 looks likely to be equally hard fought.

Mussanah Race Week will be held from January 11th to 17th with classes for Optimist, Laser 4.7 and Techno 293 windsurfers. Four days of racing will be preceded by three days of coaching and a practice race, with training camps for each of the classes provided by world-class international professional racing sailors.

The training camps on offer will include on-the-water sessions focused on boat speed, boat handling, starts and race tactics.

Lectures ashore will cover race strategy, rules, fitness, nutrition and psychology.

“Following years of hosting successful sailing championships, Mussanah Sport City has become known as an ideal venue for international events, with its perfect wind conditions and world-class facilities,” said Salma Al Hashmi, Chief Marketing Officer at Oman Sail.

“Oman Sail has developed great expertise in putting on events such as Mussanah Race Week to bring

in the SPOTLIGHT

Mussanah Race Week

young sailors from around the world annually in a competitive and friendly environment, where they can learn new sailing skills and put what they have already learnt into practice. “We look forward to welcoming these young sailors to Oman to develop successful sailing paths and make great strides in building their future careers,” she added.

Located 85kms north of Muscat and 60kms from Muscat International Airport, Mussanah Sports City combines a beautiful Batinah coast location with state-of-the-art regatta and visitor facilities. It has been the venue for several international sailing events, including the 2013 Laser World Championship and 2015 Laser Radial World Championship.

Oman Sail, in conjunction with the Millennium Resort at Mussanah Sports City, is able to offer a full Mussanah Race Week event package which covers entry fee, boat charter, airport transfers and accommodation, available to sailors, coaches and supporters. A tailormade travel package offer by Oman Air will also be available soon.

Online registration for Mussanah Race Week is available at www.mrw.om

November 2017

19

Centre STAGE Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar, the plush Resort atop the Jabal Akhdar mountain, celebrated its first anniversary, recently

M

ountains are privy to secrets from the sky; they share a camaraderie that is heightened as night falls and the lines separating them are blurred.

Mountains are nature-whisperers; they know how to placate nature, as they stand eternally anchored to their first love, earth.

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November 2017

Mountains are sanctuaries of peace crafted to enjoy nature; they are tabernacles that help explore human capacity for novelty…

Like the Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort, which is designed to take one’s breathe away – whether with the grandeur of its structure, the vastness of its natural vistas, the liberal dose of luxury in its offering, the rendition of comfort in its service or the essence of peace pegged on to its bearing.

Carved into the mountain’s rugged landscape, Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort is a uniquely compelling space set amidst juniper shrubs, rose bushes and scattered, ageless rock. Inspired by surrounding ancient forts, mud-brick villages and castles, the design pays homage to the mountain, with striking views of the gorge and Hajar mountain range providing a dramatic backdrop.

At its first anniversary celebration on October 17, local media representatives, community members and dignitaries from the private and the Government sector got a taste of this confluence of manmade luxury and nature elevated beauty. Perched 2,000 metres above sea level, on the curving rim of a great canyon, the highly anticipated resort officially opened its doors one year ago, ushering a new era of luxury travel to this extraordinary corner of Oman.

Over the past year, Anantara Al

Speaking on the sidelines of the anniversary celebrations, General Manager Darren Darwin, said, “We are thrilled to celebrate our first anniversary, which represents a significant milestone for our resort and the destination. I couldn’t be more proud of the success that we have achieved this far, and with many exciting plans in the pipeline, this is only the beginning of the journey.

Since opening our doors, we have been dedicated to providing authentic experiences, from rock climbing and abseiling to cookery classes and mountaintop yoga, allowing guests to connect to the surrounding landscape and culture. We are confident that our resort will continue to inspire travellers from around the world to visit and experience all that this unique destination has to offer.

The mountaintop resort was designed by award-winning French-Moroccan architect Lotfi Sidirahal from Atelier PoD, celebrated for creating harmony between architecture, interior and landscape. Prior to the design, Lotfi and his team spent considerable time exploring the surrounding area, meeting with inhabitants of the mountains and visiting abandoned villages to immerse themselves into the culture to ensure the resort stays true to the charm and intrigue of its locale.

Inspiration has been drawn from the layout of the local villages to create a peaceful landscape filled with fragrant rose bushes, indigenous fruit trees, lush green terraces and al falaj water features, which mirror Oman’s typical system of irrigation channels.

Constructed using traditional building techniques and local building materials, including stone taken from the mountain, the resort is an alluring blend that reflects Omani history and culture, with a contemporary flair. Earth-coloured façades blend seamlessly with the rugged mountainscape, with signature touches such as fort-like doors carved from solid wood, gently curving archways and decorative latticework resulting in a unique setting respectful of its surroundings and enhancing the magnificent views.

From the moment guests’ step through the commanding entrance, they are enveloped in an air of restful, sophisticated style. The sense of arrival is heightened with a welcoming ceremony, allowing them to enjoy the mountain-fresh breeze while listening to the melodic beat of traditional Omani music. As they make their way through to the central courtyard, guests can catch their first glimpse of the incredible view, stretching over the garden terraces and beyond, to the dramatic gorge.

With a large open fireplace providing a central focal point, the courtyard shapes the heart of the resort. The six restaurants and lounges continue the superb design, with the signature restaurant, Al Qalaa, housed in a freestanding tower that takes inspiration from the iconic architecture of Khasab Castle in Musandam, northern Oman.

Other unique design elements include the spa which features the falaj-inspired waterways that gurgle quietly throughout the resort and the infinity pool, which stretches along the curve of the plateau.

Centre STAGE

Jabal Al Akhdar Resort has achieved many milestones, making it one of the region’s most sought-after resorts. From a plethora of awards and accolades, including places in the prestigious Travel + Leisure Hit List and Condé Nast Traveller Hot List (US and Middle East), and Hotel Launch of the Year in the Middle East Hospitality Awards, to being selected as a destination for filming the BBC’s Top Gear and hosting several other supercar events, the resort has achieved remarkable successes since opening.

With temperatures 15 degrees cooler than the rest of the Middle East, guests can immerse themselves into the surrounding landscape with wadi hikes accompanied by the ‘Mountain Guru’, rock climbing, mountain biking, archery and mountaintop yoga

“It is true that we have an extraordinary resort, location, views, climate and design; nevertheless, the team is the real driving force behind our success.

I am truly humbled and extremely proud to lead such passionate and dedicated group of people,” he added.

Sensitively designed to allow the breathtaking views take centre stage, the resort features 115 beautifully appointed rooms and villas, alongside a world -renowned Anantara Spa and six restaurant and lounges, including the recently opened Al Qalaa, an Arabian fine dining grill restaurant.

November 2017

21

feast ON

Worth Every ‘Penny’

C

ome to Penny; to Penny’s Café on the charming 18th November Street.

Treat your eyes to a riot of colours, both soothing and energising. Lull your ears to piped music, curated from popular playlists.

Indulge your nose to the rich aroma of cakes and rolls emanating from the

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November 2017

The pretty Penny’s Café on the colourful 18th November Street endorses all that the clichéd idiom ‘worth every penny’ signifies

kitchen. Pamper your palate with scrumptious food that has at its heart the warmth of home cooked food…

And, as the Café states in its menu, let the food make ‘your body smile’.

With décor that has been painstakingly perfected to reflect all things vibrant, warm, congenial and relaxing in soft hues

of pink, green, orange, yellow and purple, there is that homey feeling that strikes you the moment you enter the naturally lit interior of the café.

You wouldn’t be faulted for thinking you are lounging in your home, in your pj’s with a hot latte in your hand and the kitchen buzzing with action.

For the residents and frequent users of the 18th November Street, Penny’s Café, which opened doors in mid-July this year, is a beautiful new addition on the Street, which is quaintly marked by low-rise buildings that add a stark freshness from the busy highways with large structures. There is an overwhelming sense of busyness amidst the subdued quietude in the Street, which is heightened, perhaps, by the proximity to the sea.

It is easy to locate the Café as it sits brightly on the roadside, within the range of local coffee shops as well as the coffeehouse chains located near The Sultan Centre.

Five coloured circles, with P subtly embedded within each, welcome you to the land of Penny’s Café.

The colourful sofas and cushions and aesthetically designed tables, book shelves and children’s corner, alongside nifty décor elements, greet you with so much vibrancy that you feel compelled to walk around and soak it all in, stopping a trifle too long at the tempting cake counter.

There is an equally pleasing al fresco dining option, which we are certain to patronise in the coming weeks.

A brainchild of Penny Mcdonough, who opened the first such café in Sohar to cater to health-conscious folks with food crafted to meet the needs of different diners, and décor imbued with out-of-the-box ideas, Penny’s Café is an experience that will seem new with every visit. With its take-away boxes, fresh cakes and catering facilities, the options for busy office-goers, seeking healthy and scrumptious food options, are aplenty. Walk in customers could also avail free WiFi within the Café and regulars could get loyalty cards and also borrow the books lining the shelves.

Photographs: Pushpender Sharma

We began our food tryst at Penny’s with refreshing glasses of fresh watermelon and orange juices and went on to sample the Gor-Juice smoothie containing green apple, cucumber and celery, which, as Christine Redgrift, Operations Manager, tells us, is for reducing cholesterol. She also got us to taste the ‘Naturally-nourished’ drink that is said to dispel excess salt with pineapple, green apple and watermelon.

There are several healthy options in the drinks menu as well as the food section, making Penny’s the right place to stop by for a refreshing drink and a bite if you are health driven. There are vegan options; low calorie foods; special camel milk beverages; and all the items on the menu are marked with ingredients used to help diners who want to make a quick allergy check.

Interestingly, most items on the menu come with separate meat and vegetarian options, like the quiches we tucked into with a side of house salad. There was a choice of chicken and mushroom quiche and a cherry tomato and feta cheese one, and we devoured both without any guilt.

A big bowl fresh salad with balsamic dressing set us on our healthy start to the lunch.

Penny’s signature club sandwich followed next and we would easily vote it as a king of sandwiches with its distinctly fresh flavours. The triple-decker sandwich is packed with roasted chicken mayonnaise, fluffy scrambled eggs, veal bacon, tomatoes and melted cheese. From the Café wrap variety we tucked into the Spicy Chicken and Bean wrap with home-roasted chicken slices, shredded lettuce, jalapeno slices, red beans and homemade salsa. The large portion sizes make most items ideal for diners with large appetites. Even the desserts…

Our loaded apple pie was a chunkier slice with cream on the side and caramel drizzle on top. But that piece could be sliced further for those who have small appetites and cannot say no to dessert.

To sum up, from gourmet coffees and fresh juices and smoothies to sandwiches, wraps, quiches and stuffed Panini and bagels, Penny’s Café is perfect if you are seeking all day breakfast or a scrumptious lunch/dinner

November 2017

23

let’s COOK

Recipes Enjoy a guilt-free meal with these easy to cook healthy recipes

Banana Pudding Ingredients:

l l l l

10 whole almonds Dash of Kosher or sea salt 1 egg yolk, slightly beaten 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

l l l l

2 tablespoons corns flour 3 tablespoons coconut palm sugar 3/4 cup milk 2 bananas, thinly sliced

Method: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Roast almonds for 10 minutes and allow to cool.

When cooled, mince the almonds in a food processor or with a knife.

In a saucepan, combine cornstarch, salt and sugar. Add egg yolk and gradually stir in milk. Continue stirring until well combined.

Turn the flame to medium heat and cook while stirring constantly.

Continue cooking until a pudding like consistency.

Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

While the pudding is still warm, pour a portion of pudding and alternate it with banana slices in individual dessert bowls.

Sprinkle minced almonds on top of the pudding and top with whipped cream if you desire.

Pesto Crustless Quiche Ingredients: • • • • • • •

5 eggs 1 egg white ½ cup frozen peas ½ cup shredded gruyere cheese 1tbsp basil pesto ¼ tsp black pepper 1 pinch kosher salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9-inch pie pan with non-stick spray.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, pesto, pepper and salt.

3. Now add in peas, cheese and the whipped egg white and stir until combined.

4. Pour the egg mixture into pie pan and bake at 350 for about 30 minutes until eggs are set and top is golden brown.

5. Remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.

Baked French Fries Ingredients: l l l

4tsp olive oil l 4 medium size potatoes - scrubbed ½ tsp salt l ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper ¼ cup grated Parmesan

Method 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

24

Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and apply olive oil with a brush.

Cut the potatoes lengthwise into wedges that are half inch in thickness.

Transfer it to a large bowl and add the remaining olive oil. Toss it well to coat. Sprinkle potato wedges with salt and black pepper and toss again.

Arrange potatoes in a single layer on the baking sheet and back at 450-degrees F for 12 minutes.

Turn the potatoes and sprinkle Parmesan. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes more or until tender and golden.

November 2017

let’s COOK

Indian Desserts Simran Dhanju carries the Diwali light forward with two popular Indian desserts

Firni

(Indian sweet pudding) Ingredients: l l l l l l l l l

1 cup basmati rice 2 litres full cream milk 1 cup sugar 1tsp cardamom powder (freshly ground) 2 tbsp slivered almonds 2tbsp slivered pistachios Few saffron threads Dried rose petals Silver leaf (for decoration)

Method: 1.

2.

3.

4.

Soak rice for 2-3 hours. Drain water, spread on an absorbent paper to dry excess moisture. Grind rice to fine grains, but don’t make it into powder.

In a heavy based saucepan, boil milk and rice together. Reduce flame and cook rice stirring constantly until milk is reduced and thickened.

Add sugar, cardamom powder and pour in terracotta pots, garnish with almonds, pistachios, rose petals and saffron, and top with silver leaf.

Let it cool; set in refrigerator for 2-3 hours. Serve.

Lauki Halwa (Bottle gourd) Ingredients: l l l l l l l l l

4 lauki (bottle gourd) - medium size 1 ¼ cup milk ½ cup ghee 1½ cups white sugar 1tsp cardamom powder, freshly ground ½ cup mixed nuts (almonds, pistachios, cashews) 2tbsp green raisins 1 cup Mawa (Khoya) – a dairy product Silver leaf for garnish

Method: 1.

2.

3.

4.

Peel bottle gourd, cut into large pieces, remove seeds from centre and grate the rest coarsely.

In a large heavy based pan, melt ghee, add nuts and fry for couple of minutes. Remove from pan.

Add grated bottle gourd to the ghee, roast for 10 minutes till fragrant, add milk and cook on medium flame for 20-25 minutes, stirring constantly till milk evaporates and ghee separates.

Add sugar and cook further 8 to 10 minutes, till water from sugar evaporates. Add raisins, fried nuts and mawa and mix; garish with few extra nuts and silver leaf.

Simran is a celebrated chef and a winner of multi cooking competitions; she creates visual delights artfully by merging traditional flavours.

November 2017

25

Health CHECK

Cardiovascular Disease in Women ‘Don’t put yourself at risk’, physicians tell women, as they dispel myth that cardiovascular disease mainly afflicts men

T

he common myth that heart disease mainly afflicts men is being addressed in an ambitious health initiative by Majid Al Futtaim. The annual ‘Feel the Beat’ campaign encourages ladies to put themselves first and take their own health in their hands.

Cardiovascular disease claims more lives than all kinds of cancer combined. Tragically, four out of five of these are avoidable. If survival rates are to improve – and improve they must – it’s vital to address the underlying risk factors, which include a family history of cardiovascular disease, as well as diabetes, obesity, smoking and high cholesterol.

Tips and Insights for a Healthier Heart: Heart attacks and strokes are some of the leading killers among Arab women, yet making simple lifestyle changes could slash the odds of developing these often-fatal conditions. Losing weight, quitting smoking and practicing regular exercise can all reduce risks associated with CVD. There are many types of cardiovascular diseases: the four most common of which are coronary heart disease, strokes, aortic aneurysms and peripheral arterial disease.

Coronary heart disease occurs when the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle is blocked or reduced, putting increased strain on the heart, leading to angina, heart attack and heart failure.

Aortic diseases are a group of

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November 2017

conditions affecting the aorta, the largest blood vessel in the body.

A common aortic disease is an aortic aneurysm, in which the aorta becomes weakened and bulges outwards.

Peripheral arterial disease occurs when there’s a blockage in the arteries to the limbs – usually the legs.

In strokes, the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off, which can cause brain damage and death. A transient ischemic attack (also called a TIA or ‘mini-stroke’) is similar, but the blood flow to the brain is only disrupted temporarily.

Signs of a stroke

The symptoms of a stroke or TIA can be remembered with the word FAST, which stands for: Face – the face may have dropped on one side, the person may be unable to smile, or their mouth or eye may have dropped.

Arms – the person may not be able to lift both arms and keep them there because of arm weakness or numbness in one arm.

Speech – their speech may be slurred or garbled, or they may not be able to talk at all.

Time – it’s time to dial 999 immediately if you see any of these signs or symptoms.

Risk factors of CVD

- Aged over 40 - High blood pressure - Smoking - High cholesterol - Diabetes - Inactivity - Being overweight or obese - A family history of CVD - Prevention - A healthy lifestyle can lower your risk of CVD. - smoking Eating a healthy, balanced diet is recommended for a healthy heart, including low levels of saturated fat and including healthier sources of fat, such as oily fish, nuts, seeds and olive oil.

Exercise regularly – adults are advised to do moderate aerobic activity throughout the week.

healthy TIDINGS

Walk to increase lifespan Even a little walking can lengthen your life, say researchers who found that walking less than the recommended 150 minutes a week is also beneficial.

According to them, evening strolls, taken after dinner, can reduce your risk of death. Earlier research too had linked regular walking with a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, and breast and colon cancers. The new research concluded that people whose only exercise was walking less than two hours per week had a lower risk of death from any cause than those who did no physical activity.

Those who did one to two times the minimum amount of recommended weekly exercise (2.5 to 5 hours) by only walking had a 20 percent lower risk of death. The risk of death was similar among those who exceeded activity recommendations through only walking.

Is too much exercise bad?

Moderation is believed to be the key for all things in our lives; but could this also include exercise? Possibly... For, a new study has found that white men who exercise more than seven hours a week have 86 percent higher risk of developing plaque build-up in their arteries. Plaque build-up, as has been ascertained, is a critical warning sign for possible future heart disease risk. To explore how exercise might impact heart health over time, the investigators recruited 3,200 white and black men and women and they studied them from 1985 to 2011. During that time, participants self-reported their physical activity routines and showed up for at least three follow-up exams, which included CT scans to measure plaque build-up. The study found that overall those who were among the most frequent exercisers were 27 percent more likely to develop plaque build-up by the time they had reached middle age. Although the results are inconclusive, researchers maintain that doctors should not assume their patients are healthy simply because they check off the exercise box.

‘Healthy’ foods can make you fat Foods that are labelled ‘healthy’ can still make you fat, especially if they contain high amounts of sugar that can trigger snacking later. While previous studies have shown that sugary foods can make a person feel hungrier later in the day, the latest findings reveal that people could exercise some self-control over sugar-driven hunger, if they are given fair warning through product packaging. This happens when people think something is healthy and don’t process the info psychologically.

Researchers were particularly concerned about the impact from breakfast foods like cereal, yogurt or instant oatmeal, which are marketed as healthy but often contain loads of sugar. The onus then is on labelling the foods right, as, generally, when people think something is healthy, they think it lets them make other food choices that may not be as healthy.

Obesity promotes breast cancer Obesity, say scientists, leads to the release of cytokines into the bloodstream, which impacts the metabolism of breast cancer cells, making them more aggressive as a result. The number of people with obesity is increasing rapidly worldwide. Severe overweight can lead to various health impairments, besides inducing cardiovascular diseases, and promoting the development of cancer and metastases. The current study exposes an as yet unknown mechanism making breast cancer more aggressive. The enzyme ACC1 (a key component of fatty acid synthesis) is said to play a central role in this process. The scientists involved in the study demonstrated that the described inhibition of ACC1 leads to the accumulation of the fatty acid precursor acetyl-CoA. This precursor is transferred to certain gene ‘switches’ that in turn increase the metastatic capacity of cancer cells by activating a specific gene programme.

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in the luxe

Dear Fitness…

Hardcore fitness enthusiasts may have no reason to patronise pricey gadgets and equipments, but the ones who have the moolah and love all things fine, have the pick of the litter, so to say

MyRun

With a possessive pronoun inserted in the name, this sleek gadget could be anything but economical. But price is not the only distinctive feature of MyRun from Technogym, who has given a complete twist to the average treadmill by adding ‘environment friendly’ to its credentials and incorporated personalised running score. It can be integrated with an iPad app, which is designed to allow the user to plan workout programmes and keep a track of the fitness goals. It is music interactive and can be easily installed.

Price: $4,390

SKILLMILL

Another one from Technogym, the SKILLMILL has been inspired by athletes and has been packed with features to allow one to train like professional athletes. Its attributes include workout routines to train the entire body. Even amateur athletes could find ways to improve their performances. Interestingly, it is an environment friendly high-tech machine that combines power, speed, stamina and agility training, all using human power; it uses no electric motor. It has dual handlebars and is equipped with multi-drive technology that allows one to take on a variety of exercises at various resistances, while an integrated app gives one access to customised training programmes.

Price: $9,075

Let’s DISKUS

Want to indulge in some serious weight training…and in style? Check out the HOCK-DISKUS, a heavy-duty dumbbell rack with 12 dumbbells! The rack is an aluminium supportive frame with a body made from walnut thick veneer. The dumbbells are arranged on Safeglide stainless steel shelves that are easy and convenient to use.

Price: $14,700

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November 2017

in the luxe

Kettlebells

From dumbbells to kettlebells, the fitness market is loaded, literally, with gadgets and equipments that are designed to tackle every inch of the body. Lova is a luxury bespoke kettlebell rack from PENT, which can easily fit in with any home dĂŠcor. It is a handmade set from natural European walnut wood and stainless steel and boasts craftsmanship that is unique in its presentation and appeal. The rack features four kettlebells, ranging in weight from 4 to 16kgs.

Price: $4,700

Align and Reform

Align-Pilates A2RII Reformer is designed to adapt – adapt to ones changing circumstances.

It comes with options to choose ones preferred leg height - 28, 42 or 64cms - to suit individual requirements and space. And, if these heights change, for whatever reason, one can simply swap them for a different set of legs. Made to offer complete adjustability, it has been defined as a luxurious oversized carriage and the longest travel of any standard reformer. It can also be stacked and can be moved using the inbuilt wheels.

Price: $3,700

All Power

Novelty of the Power Plate my7 lies in its capacity to become a veritable personal trainer. With more than 250 customised programmes and over a thousand individual exercises, it is equipped to take fitness to another level.

Based on a unique whole body vibration technology, the device features an integrated touch screen computer, with videos and tips to guide through the whole body vibration training that is suitable for individual needs. The different preprogrammed workouts take one through warm-up, workout and cool-down using a combination of exercises.

Price: $7,990

Air Bike

Biking and fitness share a synonymy that has been attested by many a fitness enthusiast. While biking in the open air also has the added benefit of fresh air and the nature tryst, it is not always convenient owing to constraints on time as well as weather in this part of the world. This is where exclusive machines like the Xebex Air Bike come into play.

It promises increased durability, made possible with high quality parts in the frame – the frame, in fact, it weighs more than comparable models.

Price: $1,499

November 2017

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explore OMAN

Oman’s diverse landscape is beckoning The Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with other tourism entities in the country, has developed facilities to boost tourism in different governorates of the country

O

man, a country of breathtaking natural beauty, interwoven with a kaleidoscope of history, legends and adventures, has tourism attractions to suit the tastes of travellers and visitors of every kind. It is a confluence of touristic attractions, presenting opportunities for travel buffs to indulge in a variety of activities, be it in the striking mountain ranges, the golden dunes of the deserts or the pristine beaches; enabling visitors to have new and unique experience of adventure, camping, sea-cruises, beach sports and more.

To up the tourism ante and ensure that tourists get more than their expectations, the Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with other tourism entities, has put together special offers and developed the facilities to encourage tourism in different parts of the country – all through the year.

Visitors can enjoy the beauty of wadis such as Wadi Bani Khalid and Wadi Shab, and natural springs like Al Kasfah Hot Spring and Al Thowarah spring. Jabal Akhdar and Jabal Shams are some of the mountain ranges that are worth a visit and are characterised by their moderate temperature during summer. Oman is home to wonderful gems that provide visitors with unique experiences; the Khareef season in Dhofar is one such gem that attracts tourists from Oman and beyond.

A number of tourists, citizens and residents have expressed their preference to spend holidays in Oman, which is targeting different categories of tourists and encouraging them to visit the country again, as well as inviting them to explore the country’s unique tourism elements.

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For Tanja Walter, Project Manager of the Development Cooperation with the Middle East and North Africa from Germany, it is the history and archaeological splendour of the country that is captivating. “I have visited the Sultanate four times over the past couple of years and feel that it is among the few countries that have managed to preserve its cultural identity and rich heritage. I am also impressed by the Omanis and their warm hospitality and continue to talk to my family and friends about them…” she maintains.

explore OMAN Balarab Sultan Al Hammadi, Mechanical Engineer at the Royal Air Force of Oman who enjoys visiting wadis to practice his hobby of swimming in fresh water, is keen to experience tourism components in different areas in the country.

According to him, it is the diversity of the Sultanate’s terrain, which in itself is a tourism attraction.

It is the Omani hospitality that is proving to be an important attraction for overseas tourists, like Philip O’Hanlon, a psychologist from the United Kingdom. He notes, “The people of Oman are welcoming of visitors and tourists. It is fascinating how their culture combines the elements of ancient tradition and contemporary life. I find myself drawn to understand the culture of Oman, especially as it is unique, and does not resemble the cultures of the countries that I have visited previously.”

Saif Humood Al Badi, Electrical Engineer at the Royal Air Force of Oman and a nature enthusiast, who is fascinated by the beauty of nature in Oman, points out that tourism in the Sultanate has a distinct character.

“I believe that tourism in Oman is based on its natural beauty. The beauty of any country lies in its uniqueness so that the tourist does not feel that they have witnessed

it before. The same ideology should be applied in Oman. Even when adding a tourism service or attraction in a certain area, we should ensure that we preserve our natural environment, while making way for new experiences,” he states.

It is worth mentioning that the Ministry of Tourism is making continuous efforts to promote tourism products, services and projects in accordance with the Tourism 2040 Strategy that is aimed at upgrading the tourism sector in the Sultanate. The Strategy will see the Ministry investing about 20 billion Rials to create more than half a million jobs. The main objective is to provide around 80,000 rooms for accommodation, including 33,373 hotel rooms, 29,287 vacation home rooms and 17,262 integrated tourism complex (ITC) rooms.

percent. This move has been fuelled

by Ministry’s projected growth in the tourism sector. It expects a growth of at least 11.7mn international and domestic tourists in 2040, which is a big jump from the 1.4mn in 2013.

The Tourism Ministry has also identified five types of natural sites for tourism - wildlife, mountains, wadis, deserts and coasts – alongside five elements of culture and heritage - cities and villages, world heritage sites, cultural heritage, symbols, and norms and traditions. Fourteen clusters of tourist infrastructure will be built around the country as per regional attributes, including coastal areas, bronze and Iron Age ruins, castles, mountains, villages and wadis, bedouin region and Rub al Khali.

This would also mean that Muscat’s share of accommodations would decrease from the present 53 percent to 30.8 percent by 2040, as more hotel rooms come up in other parts of the country. Dhofar’s share will rise from 12.6 percent to 23.8

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Retreat and Refresh

Just TRAVEL

Experience a lease of wellness at a nature inspired retreat to replace work ennui with an awakening of mind, body and soul

Gaia House, Devon

Cas Gasi, Ibiza

When the heart yearns for some quietude and the body seeks a restful state, it is best to book a berth in a private retreat that has nature as a prop to do the bidding. The Cas Gasi’s private spa and yoga retreat is a cocoon with bespoke opportunities to pamper the body. Located in the heart of Ibiza, the Cas Gasi is a restored country home that is set on four hectares of picturesque landscape with pine forests, orange and olive groves, almond and fig trees and organic vegetable gardens. It is a veritable hideaway with spa and yoga classes to boost the wellness goals. The Casi Gasi wellness centre is equipped with a dry sauna, whirlpool, a gym and an outdoor yoga deck, in addition to a private relaxation space. It has on offer personalised spa services and beauty treatments, alongside free yoga classes in the mornings.

Cas Gasi, Ibiza

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Gaia House, Devon

Meditation has a way of helping one connect with the nature and with one’s true self. It is an inspiring way of unwinding from everyday stresses and finding peace within, which is what Gia House, the Silent Retreat centre, offers through its tailored meditation programmes. The centre itself is a beautiful sanctuary set in the mellow hills and quiet woodlands of South Devon, making the Buddhist Meditation Retreats an opportunity to explore and develop serenity, with the options of group retreats and personal or work retreats. The serene surroundings and visual delights of the parkland help guests experience the simple joys of life and enjoy meditation, whether one knows how to or not.

groups who are looking to sculpt body and mind with physically stimulating programmes, alongside a vegetarian diet and daily mindfulness practice.

Six Senses Zighy Bay, Musandam

Amatara Yoga, Phuket

Phuket’s coastline, which has been a big lure for tourists around the world for its tranquil scenic delights, has a perfect antidote in Amatara Yoga retreat for those seeking a slice of mental rejuvenation and physical energy. It has on offer three comprehensive yoga programmes that can be practiced in private sessions. The programmes are customised to suit both beginners and advanced yoga practitioners. The personalised retreats offer a balance of yoga asanas, meditation, as well as tools to continue practicing them even back in one’s home. Guests also have access to healthy food and luxurious spa facilities.

has a combination of advanced eco accommodation and permaculture (innovative framework for creating sustainable ways of living) based self sufficiency projects with resultoriented programmes. It is ideal for solo travellers as well as couples and

Closer home, Oman has its very own retreat which has found a place on the global spa map, thanks to its spectacular location and a wealth of luxurious facilities and services to pamper mind and body. The Six Senses Zighy Bay, located on the Musandam Peninsula, is a refuge for everyone seeking a respite from the busy lifestyle. It is a spectacular destination, with its own secluded bay, a 1.6km of white sandy beach and a backdrop of stunning mountain range. It has on offer a host of massage therapies and spa programmes, including traditionally inspired Arabian hammams and a host of fitness classes and activities, all aimed at pampering the senses.

Just TRAVEL

Amatara Yoga, Phuket

Six Senses Zighy Bay, Musandam

Aro Ha Wellness Retreat, Southern Alps

Located in New Zealand’s Southern Alps, the Aro Ha Wellness Retreat is a Zen inspired luxury offer. The resort itself is spread across 35 acres of tropical gardens and white sands and has structured its signature wellness adventures around retreats that range from life-shifting to sprit-shifting. It

Aro Ha Wellness Retreat, Southern Alps

November 2017

33

look GOOD

Beauty

Food

Beauty does start from inside out; for, your beauty quotient is, in many ways, dependent on the foods that make up your everyday diet

T

he clichĂŠd ‘beauty is only skin deep’ might dismiss beauty on a scale of character, but it does emphasise the importance placed on skin to gauge beauty. While cosmetics have had a say in accentuating facial features, toning the skin and even covering blemishes, they are not the only options to realise beauty that radiates the skin. Food, apparently, is a more reliable choice.

If you believe you are what you eat, not just when it comes to your health and your weight, follow the quick guide below to give your skin a food boost that will even keep age signs at bay. Whether consumed or applied, fruits, vegetables, dairy products and even chocolates can help you in your beauty quest.

Cucumber

This unassuming vegetable has been described as a cure all for many a health concern, most importantly weight loss and glowing skin. In addition to its hydrating enzyme-filled water and anti-inflammatory properties, cucumber also contains vitamins B and C, zinc, iron, folic acid, calcium, magnesium and potassium.

Cabbage

Many a diet plan has given cabbage a top priority owing to its fibre and the sulforaphane compound, which is also said to promote anti-ageing antioxidant activity in the body.

Chocolate

Sinful or otherwise, chocolates, the darker variety, have all the properties in the world to give you an instant high and make your skin luminous.

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Cocoa

Chocolate is said to hydrate the skin, make it firm and supple and even reduce puffiness when applied on the skin.

According to dermatologists, chocolates that contain at least 70 percent cacao have maximum flavonol, a type of antioxidant.

Yoghurt

Keep those wrinkles at bay with yoghurt. The protein in it will make your skin firmer and also resistant to wrinkles.

Dermatologists recommend a single serving everyday to get smoother complexion. Greek yoghurt is especially good for teeth.

Oatmeal

If you believe breakfast is the most important meal of the day, include oatmeal in it for a youthful look. The steel-cut variety has more vitamins and takes longer to break down, keeping the blood sugar stable. This means that the body’s level of hormone, which contributes to wrinkles, is lowered.

Pomegranate

Pomegranates have polyphenol antioxidants which fight free radicals and regulate the blood flow of the skin. This can easily infuse rosiness to your skin. Eat one pomegranate or drink a couple of glasses of pomegranate juice everyday to see the difference. You could even apply it to the skin to smooth the lines and moisturise it.

Berries

Make the most of the berry season to inject a glow in your skin.

Berries are packed with anti-inflammatory agents and vitamins that are known to act as a protective shield against premature ageing. The antioxidants also help reduce the damage of free radicals, which can otherwise accelerate wrinkle formation.

Flaxseed

Flaxseeds can boost your brain, your heart, as well as your skin. The omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseed also help soothe your skin if it is prone to acne or eczema. Besides, it contains fibre, which is effective in reducing bloating and promoting digestion.

lifestyle mantra

HealtH is a matter oF Beauty

By Sophia Raman

HealtH is not a privilege enjoyed only

By BeautiFul people; But BeautiFul skin, could, very well, Be a parameter oF one’s HealtH, maintains sopHia raman* The clichéd ‘beauty lies in the eye of the beholder’ might sound fanciful in a romantic novel, but in the day and age we live in, where every aspect of life appears to be dictated by physical appearance, there are no loopholes in the established paradigms of beauty. Healthy skin, glowing complexion, sharp features and a shapely figure…

While one can hardly do much about one’s facial features, without taking recourse to makeup or the extreme plastic surgery, it is the health aspect and its strong association with beauty, that comes to the fore. For, nothing spells beauty as strongly as a healthy glowing skin. Of course, the steps involved in everyday skincare routine – cleanse, tone, exfoliate, moisturise – does help rejuvenate your skin for the long day ahead, but the concept of beauty that we know today goes beyond the makeup that follows the skincare routine; it is about how you feel about your skin.

Kale

This green veggie is a big source of vitamins A, C and E, which have potent anti-ageing properties that can help promote healthy new cell growth.

When you are happy in your skin and are content with the way you turn out, it is bound to reflect in the way you conduct yourself, exuding confidence. Looking good is a confidence booster; more the confidence the happier you will be. This will, invariably, bring about a shift in your lifestyle, one that is dictated by your love for your body and your looks. It will induce you to get into regular exercise, sleep and eat better and, of course, look a picture of health and beauty.

Papaya

Looking and feeling good is all about making little changes in your lifestyle.

Papaya is high in beta-carotene, which is said to convert to vitamin A when consumed. This means it can repair the skin and also promote brighter skin and eyes. It can also be used as a face mask to add some glow to the skin.

Sweet Potatoes

Glowing, gorgeous skin is what you get when you eat sweet potatoes, which have beta-carotene and are packed with vitamins A, C and E. These can work to improve your hair and skin and protect it from UV exposure.

* A self professed lifestyle guru, Sophia Raman has honed her expertise for beauty and fashion with a natural flair for all things chic and a distinctive style quotient. She is a sophisticated socialite who brings her love for fashion, style and travel to this column.

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style FILe

Stay trendy this winter As you welcome winter with the usual pleasantries, get a grip on your wardrobe to rock the season in style

R

ight, you don’t need jackets, sweaters, or any of the warm clothes to get set for the winter, which is still playing truant, especially during the noon hours. But what you need is a big dose of style and fashion to gear up for the season with trends that have been underscored by international designers.

We scoured the Internet to cull together a quick guide to help you rock this beautiful season in trends that are designed to give a twist to your wardrobe.

Red signal

Say ‘hello’ to the winter red, which is bold, confident and secure. The flattering red colour has received a fresh new winter grooming to energise you and keep you feeling upbeat. And, if style gurus are to be believed, trend or not, red is the most flattering colour on all skin tones.

There you go, another reason to pick reds when you go shopping.

Get tight

Tights are here and they refuse to budge from the trend counter. This time around, its white that has received the thumbs up.

Corduroy tricks

There is something eternal about corduroys – winter enhancing it.

With this winter making way for a corduroy comeback, all corduroy lovers are in for a beautiful season.

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November 2017

Style FILe Bohemian forever

Throwbacks have a charm that are romantic, to say the least. But as fashion buffs claim, the time now is not for a complete throwback; rather, opt for craft-inspired dresses. Look for clothes that have patchwork fabrics and interesting prints.

Midi touch

Midi has such a winter look about it that you would be better off if you equip your wardrobe with one or two midi skirts to give the season a perfect welcome.

Crop it

Being in this part of the world means you can wear crop tops without worrying about the chilly air.

Pair the crop top with those chic boots and be set to rock any party.

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Power up

Power suits have taken a 90s flavour, with double breasted cuts and shoulder pads in longer lengths and fluid lines.

Dressed and ready

style FILe

Dress up and feel trendy. With winter in this part of the world sticking to its pleasant levels, the dress trend will have a long stay this season. It is all about dresses – florals, craft-inspired and even simple romantic ones are trending this winter.

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All material

It is nylon time. Believed to be practical, nylon in full length will give you the wintry feeling that you seek from your wardrobe.

November 2017

Well‌some knitwear is essential to help you tide over the chilly evenings. Whether it is a casual cardigan, a roll neck or a deconstructed cut, chunky knitwear and slouchy trousers will make you winter-ready!

November 2017

Style FILe

Knitted right

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style FILe

Lifestyle Jewellery

Malabar Gold & Diamonds’ launches a new retail concept – ‘Lifestyle Jewellery’

M

alabar Gold & Diamonds has launched its new retail concept – ‘MGD - Lifestyle Jewellery’. This concept is the latest offering of the group focusing on trendy and light-weight jewellery that represents the independent and modern woman through its designs and collections. The vision of this retail concept is to be the preferred one-stop destination for lifestyle jewellery, offering unique designs and styles. The jewellery showcased at MGD – Lifestyle Jewellery are sourced from various parts of the world, like Europe, Far East and Asia. The designs are inspired by the spirit of the youth and young adults, keeping in mind what they would love in jewellery.

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November 2017

esque It wIth ALe

PlAstiC FAshion WouLD you INvEST IN PLASTIc FAShIoN, ASkS ALE AL ZADJALI, AS hE REFLEcTS oN ThE TREND ThAT hAS cAuGhT ThE IMAGINATIoN oF cELEBS AND DESIGNERS ARouND ThE WoRLD

A

qua taught us that life in plastic is fantastic, but they went on to be nothing more than one hit wonders… So, naturally, the statement never found its place in fashion.

Now, 6 years after their commercially unsuccessful but musically incredible comeback album (Megalomania), plastic fashion is fantastic! The latest trend is plastic! kanye introduced them last year with his shoe line and this season all the big names seem to have jumped on the bandwagon. chanel stood out because not only was the plastic used for shoes and accessories but other classic pieces were re-imagined in plastic. kenzo introduces plastic in dark tones while valentino frosted their pieces in sequins!

Balenciaga also did the trend but seemed to miss the mark. While their previous collection introduced bags that were a perfect imitation of the IkEA shopping bags (with a 2500percent mark up) their new shirts look like they are made out of the exact material. yes, it’s as bad as it sounds; oh, and they are oversized.

MGD - Lifestyle Jewellery offers a wide range of trendy and light weight jewellery that includes 18k and 22k gold jewellery, diamond jewellery, uncut diamond jewellery, precious gem jewellery and pearl jewellery. These pieces of jewellery are designed in a way where they can be used as practical, convenient and simple jewellery for daily use, without compromising on service or quality. This concept targets the young at heart teenagers, working women and those fashion and style oriented individuals who are interested in new and unique jewellery at competitive prices.

Also, the key features of this retail concept like transparency and assure quality, light weight, trendy and unique, and competitive pricing makes it an ideal gift for oneself and loved ones.

Furthermore, this concept also offers other benefits like cash buy back and lifetime free maintenance on jewellery.

What about you, would you invest in plastic fashion? I hear it’s perfect for the omani summer.

Ale Al Zadjali is a 23 year-old award-winning fashion designer; he is the brain behind the ‘Esque By Ale’ line of clothing

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Fitness Special

The Wellness Mantra

The present day lifestyle chants - eat healthy, exercise regularly, sleep adequately, get outdoors, meet friends, have meaningful leisure activities – are all about balancing your physical wellbeing with mental wellness

Stay Fit, Remain Healthy Like walking, that comes naturally in the infant stages, exercise, on a non-professional level, should happen without any bidding

F

itness knows no age, gender or weight limits; it is a universal requirement, one that is, often, sacrificed at the altar of time, seniority of age and even body’s flexibility issues. Although what fitness regimen suited the adolescent years and even the young adulthood days may not be appropriate as one ages, the crux of the matter is that workouts, even simple exercises, are a must to enjoy the true benefits of good health.

But if you belong to the nonchalant group of people who toe the ‘workout is not for me’ line, the good news is that you could shun that attitude and begin an exercise regimen at any age in your life. As they say, it is never too late!

You could, possibly begin with walking and then gradually move to specific exercises. Get ready, and remember, the time is now.

Here are a few dos and don’ts to get you going: Do’s... l l l

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Begin by assessing your current fitness level before starting the exercise programme.

If you have any health issues or are concerned about your fitness levels, consult your doctor before starting the programme.

First timers need to remember the importance of working out every day.

November 2017

Fitness Special

(Fitness experts recommend aiming for 30 minutes of cardio and strength training twice a week for a couple of months or until exercise becomes a part of your lifestyle.) l l

l

l

l l

At all costs, begin the session with warm-up exercises and also cool down afterwards.

Set goals to stay motivated.

Find new challenges, whether it is a marathon, hiking trip or even an adventure tour.

Focus on your breathing. The key is to inhale deeply in the rest phase of an exercise, and exhale forcefully while actively working out.

Always include stretching exercises and strike a straight pose as slouching does not facilitate deep breathing, which is essential while working out.

Incorporate changes in the programme to make it interesting.

Drink enough water before, during and after your workouts.

Don’ts…. l l

l l

l

Do not tense those muscles while working out, as it will only cause you to waste your energy.

Don’t overdo your new found love for exercise; chances of burnout are more when you do too much, too fast.

Do not stick to the treadmill all through. Like many things in life, the effect might just wane.

Do not work out in your home footwear. Often, it is the wrong footwear that causes injury while working out.

Do not try to avoid exercises that seem difficult; that may be the one that will help you become stronger.

Do not fall prey to the temptation of constantly tracking your moves.

It is important to move at the pace that helps you enjoy the experience.

Do not consume too many energy bars and sugary soft drinks that are prescribed for professional athletes. Your body’s requirements could be met with three balanced meals and two light snacks.

helps to strengthen your core muscles.

Lie on your back with bent knees and feet on the floor. Inhale and lift your back up from the floor, while keeping the abs tightened. Exhale and lower your back.

For all those working out from home, here are some doable strength exercises:

Cycling: Lie on your back with your knees bent and hands behind the neck.

Now raise the legs and do pretend cycling in the air.

l

l

Squats: This is one exercise that you could do even during your lunch break in the office. Simply stand in front of a chair with arms forward at shoulder level. Now inhale as you bend down from the knees, as if you are lowering yourself to sit down. Then exhale and return to standing. Do this 10-15 times, provided you have no knee pain.

Diagonal push-up: Unlike the regular push-ups, this exercise requires no flat space on the ground – a wall is all you need. Put your hands on a fixed support, it could even be the table, ensuring that your body is diagonal to it. Do this 10 to 15 times.

Skipping: You can do skipping exercise even without the rope. All that you need to do is work your hands as if you are holding the rope and jump to avoid the invisible rope.

Back extensions: With office work causing all your muscles to strain, you need to loosen up and give your back some support. Stand up and place your hands on the lower back on either side.

Now gently try to push your elbows toward each other, making your upper back arch slightly.

Stretch: You cannot, at any cost, get into any workout routine without including simple stretching exercises in it. Simply stretch different parts of your body to make it more flexible and reduce the risk of muscle strain.

Pelvic tilt: The pelvic tilt exercise is similar to the yogic bridge pose, which

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Fitness Special

Health Tech to the Rescue Giving fitness the due it deserves has become so much easier with a surfeit of fitness trackers and health gadgets that are single-mindedly focused on creating a fitness culture

Fitbit Charge 2

Fitbit Charge 2 is a fitness tracker, which comes with a great software ecosystem. The current version of the tracker has a large OLED display and it can link to the GPS on your Smartphone to provide more precise data on pace and distance. It can also tap into your heart-rate readings and can give you a snapshot of your fitness level using a personalised Cardio Fitness Score.

Omron Evolv

The Omron Evolv is a clinically-validated wireless blood pressure monitor that lets you easily measure, record and share your blood pressure data with your doctor, via an app.

It uses a heart health algorithm called Advanced Accuracy to measure more data points; it eliminates interference from movement for more precise, clinically-accurate readings.

Garmin Vivosport

This waterproof fitness tracker comes with built-in GPS; it is equipped to do all day stress tracking and count reps and sets in the gym. This wearable tech gives you detailed information on steps, calories, distance, heart rate, activity, floors and sleep. It can even track your laps in the swimming pool.

QardioBase

QardioBase is a smart scale that accurately measures body weight, body composition and body mass index, helping you keep tab on your weight and body composition. The smart scales not only weigh you, its connected scales also check your heart rate, water percentage, body fat, bone mass and muscle mass and keep a record of it to help you compare your vitals over time.

Nokia Steel HR

This is a hybrid timepiece that includes a heart rate monitor and a digital display for Smartphone notifications.

The Steel HR automatically tracks everything and syncs the info to your app. It displays real-time heart rate information on the watch as you exercise. The watch also tracks resting heart rate to assess overall health over time.

Netatmo Healthy Home Coach

Here is a healthy home option. Netatmo's Healthy Home Coach can check how clean the air in your home is, detect air quality level, humidity, temperature and noise at home; it can also

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Fitness Special

give advice on how to create a healthier environment.

Fitbit Ionic

The Fitbit Ionic smart watch has 8 different sensors, including an altimeter, 3-axis accelerometer, digital compass, GPS, optical heart rate monitor, ambient light sensor, vibration motor and a new relative SpO2 sensor for measuring blood oxygen levels. The device can capture real-time stats on 20 different types of activities, including swimming.

Huel Complete Food

A perfect addition for all fitness enthusiasts who constantly check on their foods to ensure they are on a healthy diet. Huel is said to be a nutritionally complete meal in powdered form; it can be dissolved in water to give you all the 26 essential nutrients needed to live a healthy balanced lifestyle on a daily basis.

FireFly

FireFly is an injury recovery wearable tech that helps accelerate sports recovery after exercise and minor injury. It is worn behind the knee and delivers painless electrical impulses to gently activate the muscles of the lower leg to increase blood circulation.

Dring SmartCane

Dring, a walking aid, has been described as a game changer for the ones who require walking assistance. It is an intelligent alert system, which is equipped with an accelerometer, gyroscope and GPS that can detect any fall and automatically send an alert with the user’s location to get help.

Beast Sensor

The Beast sensor, configured as a small magnet, can be easily plugged on barbells, dumbbells, kettlebells or gym machines and to the body itself while performing free body exercises.

It shows you, in real-time, the amount you are pushing, rep by rep. It can also tell you when you should try a new exercise by using the measurement of the bar speed and work to understand the force production.

Skulpt Chisel

The Skulpt Chisel goes beyond monitoring the steps taken and distance traveled; it is perfected to measures muscle quality and body fat percentage. You could measure and track 24 individual muscles and also find out how your body is changing over time.

Moov Now

Learn the concepts of a healthy life with the Moov fitness tracker. One of its important features is the real-time coaching feedback in a wide variety of exercise programmes. The device can also track your movements in 3D; further, it will analyse it and give you a comprehensive report on your workout progress.

Wair smart scarf

Although Oman’s pollution levels are under control, it is no harm to ensure that the home is clean and safe.

Claimed to be the world’s first antipollution scarf,Wair’s subtle smart scarf is designed to keep your lungs cleaner.

Besides filtering harmful pollutants, the fashionable scarf is connected to an app that provides real time air quality updates.

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Fitness Special

Healthy Mind in a Healthy Body Mental health is as important as physical fitness for overall wellness

It is common to dedicate regular time for physical fitness; even the ones who blame time for their unhealthy lifestyle do squeeze in a walk or two during the week to stay in shape.

But what about exercise for the mind?

Have you considered the importance of mental wellbeing in your physical health?

Apparently, it is only when the balance between the two is maintained that overall wellness, rather health, is achieved.

And that means combining relaxation and the essential rest with exercise. Yes, exercise too. For, certain exercises have been found to be effective in fostering mental wellbeing while improving physical health.

Although running is said to provide a mental boost, it is the specific role it plays in reducing the risk of depression that makes exercise important on all counts. It is not about indulging in rigorous exercises to target specific parts of

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the body; these are simple physical movements that have long term impact on mental wellbeing.

Physical fitness and mental wellbeing are interrelated - an improved body image can automatically help increase self esteem. Studies have shown that more people are joining a gym or a fitness group with the motive of de-stressing than staying in shape.

Check out activities that can give you a mental lift and help in overall wellness

Walking

Walking is, perhaps, not the easiest option to lose weight, like say an hour long session in the gym. But walking is definitely the most affordable and convenient exercise of them all and is the right start for your mental wellbeing. Even short walks in the open can do a whole lot of good in bringing your stress levels down. Interestingly, researchers have found that low intensity exercises can help cultivate positive thoughts.

Fitness Special Yoga

With yoga gaining international popularity, it is no wonder that fitness experts have realised its potential as a lifestyle experience. Yoga can be easily tailored to fit the physical requirements of different people and has specific breathing exercises that are aimed at calming the mind and helping it focus on positive facets of life. It is believed to be therapeutic in more ways than one.

Cycling

There is something very calming about cycling in the open air, away from the city. Regulars will, of course, find cycling even within the city precinct enjoyable, but if you are looking for a nature tryst, weekend cycling would be a big boost.

Swimming

Swimming is believed to be another low impact exercise that can boost mental health easily. Even ten minutes of swimming everyday is said to work.

Dancing

There is something very happy about the act of dancing. It creates a party mood and is easily associated with socialising. Experts say that when you get into the rhythm of the music with your body, your self esteem also increases.

Rest

The most important feature of mental health is, of course, rest and relaxation.

It is vital even for physical health. This

is of utmost importance when working out becomes an addiction and you lose the balance required to ensure all round wellness. Giving your body the right amount of rest, with quality sleep, is essential. Sleep not only helps you to calm your mind, it also helps restore your body’s energy. Experts recommend 11 to 12 hours of sleep for preschoolaged children, 10 hours for school-aged children, 9 to 10 hours for teens and 7 to 8 hours for adults. The onus is also on ensuring that you get quality sleep, which would otherwise mean waking up feeling tired and lethargic.

While sleep seems natural for the general public, it is relaxation that is, often, sidelined. Like sleep, there are no guidelines to specify the relaxation required in one’s life, but that doesn’t take away the importance of unwinding from everyday stress. Deep relaxation, like meditation, can relieve stress and anxiety and also boost physical health.

In conclusion, one is bound to overemphasise the importance of exercise, in whatever form - for physical wellbeing as well mental health. Exercise can help decrease the stress hormones that have a negative impact on our moods, while boosting confidence and the go-getter attitude.

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at HOME

Home Gym Add a workout extension to the ‘home-sweet-home’ concept to make your living space a sanctuary for your body and mind

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f you love the idea of working out in a gym, but are not inclined to commit your time and money in a membership, make room for a gym right in your home. Invest in a couple of essential workout equipments and rearrange the living space to initiate your fitness regimen from home.

Here are a few ideas to inspire you, whether you live in a villa with a basement or garage space for the gym, or in a flat with limited space…

Money factor

Before you begin your homegym project, remember workout equipments do not come cheap.

That, however, does not mean you cannot find inexpensive gadgets that suit your body’s requirements.

While the online buy-and-sell market has endless options to gear you up for the gym of your

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choice, there are also locally available products that can get you started without burning a hole in your wallet. Fix a budget and start scouring the sports shops to pick the ones that are right for your budget and workout requirement.

It is best to pick one thing at a time and do a gradual move to a complete gym to ensure that you are on the right track.

Make space

Space is the biggest concern if you live in a two-bedroom apartment and have kids sharing the second bedroom. While a home gym is the perfect answer to your time problems with little children at home, space can seem all the more

Get set

at HOME

adorn the room with indoor plants.

Add in elements that help induce a positive mood and motivate you to workout.

Treadmill may have been elevated as the be-all and end-all of all home gym products, but if you really assess your fitness requirements you would realise that some of the best home workout equipment are rather small and inexpensive. A jump rope could easily substitute treadmill for cardio.

You could opt for foam rollers too; it can be used for core strengthening, for yoga, as well as for massaging your muscles. Besides, one set of dumbbells that could be adjusted for weight could work well for your strength training requirements, instead of different sets for different weights. A punching bag could act as a great stress buster and also add a little décor element to your space. limited. This calls for a little space analysis of your home; identify areas that could accommodate your gym gear – may be a closed balcony, a spare guest room or an extended living room. If nothing, just squeeze things around in the living room and add your exercise equipment in a corner. For a cardio workout, a corner space is all that you need. Working out in the living room also gives you the benefit of watching your favourite shows on the telly while pounding the treadmill or other exerciser. You could add mirrors to one end of the wall to make it look roomier and also give it a gym-like look.

Add energy

Workouts are all about boosting your energy levels, and this calls for an ambience that is conducive to your needs. Ensure that the space is not cluttered, nor has distracting elements. What you need more of is light – natural the better. Use soft white lights to illuminate the workout space and

Arrange & organise

Create vertical storage space for lighter items to avoid cluttering the room. You could add a few shelves for your specific needs or have bins in the store room to accommodate your gear. Alternately, find ways to hide them while not in use. Maybe your sofa can accommodate the dumbbells/kettlebells under it? Or maybe you have an ottoman that can double up as your storage space?

Get gymming…

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Relatively SPEAKING

Love, Peace and Zen Meditation, the silent art of connecting with ones inner self and with the universe itself, is a perfect salve to de-stress and reconnect with family Communication is important; two-way communication, all the more.

But the communication underscored here is not simply about having a conversation, casual or sublime; it is about breaking the shackles of constant chatter to connect on an ethereal scale. It is about mastering the potent art of meditation to open the lines of communication with family.

Meditation, on a visual periphery, might seem to be an individual act, one that requires individual focus and attention to create a spectrum of mental connect.

But meditating as a group, on a guided level, has the good of the family at its core. While all family-bound activities do bring to the forefront the concept of ‘family that prays/eats together stays together’, meditation might just add that edge to everyday tasks and help you connect on a more inspiring canvas. For, meditation has proven its potentials to help one relax, unwind and find mental peace and clarity, individually as well as collectively as a family.

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Relatively SPEAKING Some of the pronounced benefits of meditation include: Stress reduction That is the obvious benefit, considering how it helps you calm the turmoil in your mind. It can put you in a better perspective about your life, your emotions and your relationships

Happy outlook

Happiness, not the kind that makes you jump and dance, is also an outcome of calmness that comes from comforting one’s mind with positive thoughts. While regular meditation can bring about a happy demeanour, a general sense of well being and a happy disposition can also act as a drive to meditate on a mentally elevated plane.

Patient and tolerant

Meditation can take away negativity and fill you with more genial vibes, helping you accept others without sitting on a judgement seat. It will also help you become more empathetic towards others.

Now for some tips to get first-timers started‌ Ask an expert and he/she will tell you meditation is simply about concentrating on your breathing – breathe in, breathe out. But what about the mind that keeps wandering like a minstrel from the medieval times? How do you make it stay put on the breathing exercise?

Like everything else in life, it is only practice that can help you perfect the art of meditation. The following tips might help put you on the right course. l Time: While sunrise and sunset are said to be ideal times for it, the objective should be to meditate without disturbance, and that means it should be convenient for you as well as other family members. Also, ensure that the meditation time does not immediately follow your meal as that could make you feel sleepy. l Place: Now select a place that is convenient, suitable and effective for meditation. Ensure

that it is quiet and peaceful, especially in the initial days. l Warm-up: Just like a workout regimen requires a warm-up session, so too does meditation.

You could do some simple yoga asanas or any warm-up exercise to get your body and mind aligned for the task ahead. l Posture: Meditation requires you to be relaxed and comfortable while sitting in a straight line with the spine erect. l Deep breath: Meditation is all about breathing right to stay focused. Deep breaths help you get into the rhythm of things.

When meditating with children, it is best to initiate a guided programme to get everyone in the right mental mode. Get everyone to sit comfortably with closed eyes before the breathing exercise. Ask them to take a deep breath and exhale slowly, while focusing on the rhythm of breathing. Count to ten exhales and let the mind follow the breath.

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Fit at all ages man date

Your fitness requirements keep changing with age

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hat fitness regimen worked when you were 20 years old will not help your growing girth in the 40s. Even if you have maintained a strict lifestyle and have followed a regular workout programme, the changes in your body, brought on by age and the environment, will require you to adapt and alter your workouts to complement the added years.

Here is a quick guide to take you through the ages with exercise routines that are most suitable for you:

In your 20s…

As one fitness guru pointed out, there are very few tasks that you cannot do in your 20s – except, probably, gymnastics if you haven’t initiated it earlier. You could partake in any sports activities or undertake extreme workouts, provided you are in a healthy frame of mind and body.

20s is the perfect time to begin your fitness lifestyle with some strengthtraining routine; it should, generally, include lifting weights or doing exercises that train your body weight for resistance. Incorporate cardio workouts in between the strengthtraining routines.

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In your 30s…

Although 30s is as good as the 20s for most exercise routines, research has found that often, things – on the health and fitness side – become crucial at the age of 36. A survey in England found that, on average, age 36 is the year men become aware of

their mortality and initiate a healthier lifestyle. This, say researchers, is brought on, usually, by the crying need to change the lifestyle of bingeing in the teens and 20s owing to the toll such lifestyle is taking on one’s body. A note of caution though, if you have relied on your genes and youth to keep your body in shape without any workout, have a word with your doctor before you begin, or follow a gradual routine. Initiate an all-rounded exercise programme to target different parts of the body.

You need to loosen the stiff muscles with some balance and flexibility exercises, or even yoga.

In your 40s…

If you are already here, you would certainly be aware that your body is not what it used to be a few years ago

In the 60s…

Reaching the mature 60s on a regular exercise routine will not only reduce your chances of premature deaths from chronic diabetes or heart disease, it will also strengthen you against falls. Your body will thank you for lifting weights at least a couple of times a week, for half an hour. Alternate that with upper body and lower body exercise sessions. Experts, however, suggest working out in a fitness class or in a group to keep things safe and make gymming fun.

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style, along with specific exercises to strengthen the abs and the back; even with yoga. Exercises that range from mild to moderate exertion are effective in the 50s.

In your 70s and above…

(or perhaps it is, if you have followed a dedicated fitness routine). However, you need to press the caution button as your body might not be able to cope with the wear and tear that comes with some activities. Belly fat might pile on without invitation and the drop in testosterone might reflect on the muscle mass, calling you to take on weight lifting exercises. Besides, stress also could materialise as fat, increasing the risk for cardiovascular diseases. It is best to initiate a consistent exercise regimen to reduce fat gain and also stress.

Do not give up on your exercise routine just because you are now a septuagenarian. Besides walking, you could also start swimming regularly – if you have been swimming, that is. Focus your workout on strength, flexibility and balance and give rigorous workouts a skip forever.

Enjoy what you are doing and you will remain fit, both physically and mentally.

In the 50s…

Your focus will now be on delaying signs of ageing, which keeps growing with every passing month. Health, of course, is a top priority, but with age bringing on related aches and pains, your exercise regimen needs to be tailored around these concerns.

Another general 50s problem is the body’s tendency to curve forward, which can lead to chronic back pain.

This can be alleviated by simply changing your posture and walking

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Bank Muscat asalah Priority Banking adds Wealth Management Services

Bank Muscat has introduced access to the bank’s wealth management platform for asalah Priority Banking segment. The innovative investment products provide suitable wealth management solutions across various asset classes as per client requirements. Abdulnasir Al Raisi, DGM – Premier Banking, said: “Committed to preserve, secure and grow wealth, asalah Wealth Management offers an exceptional breadth and depth of solutions and investment options across different asset classes, directly as well as through tie-ups with partners of repute. The strategy reflects the bank’s commitment to expand innovative services to asalah customers and provide a unique banking experience.” Dedicated relationship managers work closely with product specialists to evaluate and assist asalah clients in line with their financial objectives. The process begins by outlining goals, risk profile of clients and then short listing instruments to achieve the best medium-term and long-term growth from investment options available to clients.

Enjoy the Internet with Ooredoo

Ooredoo CEO Ian Dench announced, at a press meet, how Ooredoo is taking data experience leadership to the next level with a massive network boost, digital experience and the launch of a group-wide brand campaign, ‘Enjoy the Internet’. Dench started off by talking about the digital experience, focusing on their multi-award winning app. Use of their app has increased 7-fold in the last six months and provides not only the day-to-day functions of bill-payments, subscribing to plans and balance checks, but is an interactive and immersive experience, which has everything you need at your fingertips. From telecoms services to shopping and a lot more, you can buy data when you are travelling and some of their promotions and services are provided exclusively though the app – such as Deal of the Day. Customers can even buy a cup of coffee using their Nojoom points! Over the past few months and into quarter one of next year, Ooredoo will be adding 1,000 new locations to expand their 4G coverage to cover 90 percent.

Muriya’s Fanar Hotel & Residences in Salalah awarded 5-star rating

Muriya’s 302-room Fanar Hotel & Residences, located within its Hawana Salalah Integrated Tourism Complex (ITC), was recently awarded a 5-Star rating by the Ministry of Tourism, following a reassessment of its services. After opening in 2016 as a 4-Star hotel, the property’s additional star comes as a direct result of its superior services, amenities, and accommodation delivered to its guests, and confirmed by consistently receiving the highest ratings among its peers, according to international online travel sites. The hotel is currently undergoing an expansion, adding 98 key to its capacity

by December this year to reach 400 rooms. This will take the total number of rooms at Hawana Salalah to around 900.

Oman Air launches new competitions

Following the phenomenal success of its recent social media contests, Oman Air launched exciting new competitions to celebrate World Tourism Day and the Indian festival of Diwali. As part of its promotion for World Tourism Day, Oman Air had launched a ‘Winning Smiles’ social media competition that ran until 11 October across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. To enter the competition, participants had to take a selfie and share it along with their favourite Oman Air destination. The two lucky winners will receive the number of Sindbad miles required for an Economy Class ticket to their chosen destination. Mohammed Al Shikely, Vice President Marketing, Oman Air said: “Oman Air is delighted by the phenomenal number of entries we have had for our previous contests on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram...”

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OBO celebrates the completion of its first national training centre

Under the auspices of H.H. Sayyid Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, and in the presence of H.H. Sayyid Faisal bin Turki Al Said, Patron of Outward Bound Oman (OBO), and HRH Prince Andrew, The Duke of York KG, a celebration was held at the Grand Hyatt Hotel Muscat to signify the completion of Oman’s first purpose built outdoor training centre. Located some 12km into the Sharqiya Sands, the centre is the first of the three being constructed to enable Outward Bound Oman to work with much larger numbers of youth, and corporate talent in Oman. Sleeping up to 60 people, and with fully equipped AV room, meeting rooms, four learning pods, equipment stores, majlis and medical room, the centre provides a training environment that is unique to Oman. All waste water is treated on site, and a large solar array makes it Oman’s first building totally powered by renewable solar energy.

New Nikon D850

Professional photographers and serious hobbyists alike will be able to expand their photographic expressions with the latest release of the D850 by Nikon. A highly anticipated successor to the widely popular FX-format D810 released in 2014, the latest addition to Nikon’s FX-format DSLR range is engineered with advanced features that deliver versatility and uncompromised performance across stills and video shooting, geared towards the growing segment of hybrid photographers in wedding photography, and also of those in the genres of nature, events, and fashion. “Nikon’s innovation has transformed the world of photography as it stands today,” said Rohit Shah, General Manager, Khimji›sLuxury &Lifestyle - the Division responsible for brand Nikon in Oman. The D850 offers impressive capabilities with a powerful synthesis of high resolution and high speed from the EXPEED 5 image-processing engine and CMOS sensor, silent photography in both photo and video modes, and a wider viewfield, giving modern storytellers more versatility.

Honda OMASCO lauds the role played by women in the Sultanate’s progress

Oman Marketing and Services Company (OMASCO), an Al-Futtaim company and exclusive distributor of Honda in Oman, celebrated Omani women at a one-of-a-kind event held at the Sabco Centre. “Women can achieve whatever they set their mind to,” said Lieutenant Colonel Shaikha bint Ashour Al Hambasiyah, new head of Al Wattayah police station and chief guest at the event. Hussain Al Lawati, Managing Director, OMASCO, said, “The role of Omani women in society has changed. They are now a force to reckon with. At Honda, we cherish and nurture the spirit of women and encourage them to take on leadership roles.” The networking event featured women from various walks of life, who spoke about the challenges they faced in their journey towards success.

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All-New 2018 Subaru XV unveiled in Oman

Subaru Corporation and OTE Group unveiled the all-new 2018 Subaru XV in Oman recently. The car was unveiled by Makoto Inoue, General Manager, Sales & Marketing Dept ., Subaru Corporation Japan, and Sheikh Salim Saad Suhail Bahwan, in the presence of officials from Subaru Corporation, Japan and OTE Group. Combining a compact body with real SUV capabilities underpinned by Subaru’s original Symmetrical AWD System and a rugged and sporty design, the Subaru XV is a crossover SUV suited to a multitude of settings - from urban driving to the great outdoors. The new XV offers distinctive design and enhanced drivability on poor road surfaces, while adopting the all-new Subaru Global Platform to achieve world-class collision safety and superior hazard avoidance, as well as dramatic advances in driverresponsive handling and ride comfort. All New XV has been launched in select markets across the globe and is well accepted.

Audi RS 3 Sedan

Audi presented the most dynamic model of the A3 model series, the Audi RS 3 Sedan, at this year’s Motor Show in Paris. With a 400 hp five-cylinder engine, groundbreaking efficiency and an even sharper look, it is the first compact Audi sedan to bear the RS label. Following the world premiere of the RS 3 Sedan at the Paris Motor Show, the RS 3 Sportback made its entry at the Geneva International Motor Show. With the most powerful production five-cylinder in the world, outstanding dynamism and an even sharper look, the car offers an emotional driving experience. The Audi RS 3 Sedan and new RS 3 Sportback are now available in the Middle East markets including Bahrain, KSA, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, UAE, Lebanon and Jordan. The new 2.5 TFSI engine – available in both body styles of the new Audi RS 3 – outputs 400 hp, 33 hp more than its predecessor. That makes it the most powerful five-cylinder engine on the world market.

Alfardan Motors offers five years warranty and service on Maserati vehicles

Alfardan Motors, the official importer of Maserati in Oman, is celebrating five years of its association with the iconic luxury car brand in the Sultanate. As part of the five year celebrations, Alfardan Motors is offering five years warranty & Service programme (5 years service package for up to 100,000kms, whichever comes first, or 5 years unlimited mileage warranty) which provides great benefits for Maserati customers. Speaking about the journey, Mohamed El Zawawy, Assistant General Manager, Alfardan Motors said, “It is with great pride that all of us at Alfardan celebrate the fifth anniversary of Alfardan Motors, the official importer of Maserati in Oman. We are happy to provide 5 years warranty and service, which offers a host of benefits to Maserati customers to mark the occasion. In the years to come, we hope to play a crucial role in boosting Maserati›s presence in Oman.”

Aldardan Motors offers the complete range of Maserati, including Quattroporte, Ghibli, Levante, GranTurismo and GranCabrio.

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The new Mercedes-Benz S 560 4MATIC

The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class retains its title as the undisputed leader of intelligence, power, performance and luxury. The top-of-the-range model takes another big step towards autonomous driving and elevates Intelligent Drive to the next level. Its precise attention to detail is seen within every corner of the car, from the wood-leather steering wheel to the crystal-look tail lamps. Mercedes-Benz Oman launched the iconic vehicle at an exclusive event held at the Muscat Bay. The new S-Class offers a new level of comfort for the driver and passengers. Thanks to the world-first Energizing comfort control feature, the driver and passengers can now link various comfort systems such as climate control and massage functions. The new feature also allows customers to configure specific wellness set-ups to suit their mood and enhance physical comfort and performance on the road.

The first Ferrari V8 four-seater, the GTC4Lusso T, arrives in Oman

Alfardan Motors, the official Ferrari dealer in Oman, hosted an exclusive action-packed driving experience for its clients at Muscat Bay. The event was designed to showcase the blistering performance and breath-taking agility of the Ferrari GTC4Lusso T. Like every engine born from the Maranello stable, the GTC4Lusso T’s V8 twin turbo has all the classic Ferrari power unit qualities: razor-sharp throttle response, award-winning performance, continuous and powerful acceleration at all speeds, an exhilarating soundtrack and compact dimensions. A low mounted chassis helps sharpen driving dynamics and bring the driver closer to the road. The GTC4Lusso T’s V8 twin turbo engine is the latest evolution to emerge from the engine family that was named the 2016 International Engine of the Year. Designed by Ferrari’s Styling Centre, the GTC4Lusso T maintains the same innovative take on the shooting brake coupé as the V12 version, reinterpreting the concept with an extremely streamlined, tapered shape that gives it an almost fastback-like silhouette.

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Chill Out

Movies

MOVIE REVIEW

Cast Amber Heard Amy Adams Ben Affleck Billy Crudup Connie Nielsen Diane Lane Ezra Miller Gal Gadot Henry Cavill Jason Momoa Jeremy Irons Robin Wright Ray Fisher

Director Zack Snyder

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1.

Despacito: Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee

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That’s What I Like : Bruno Mars

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I’m The One: DJ Khaled

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Humble: Kendrick Lamar

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Shape of You: Ed Sheeran

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Mask Off: Future iSy: Lyle & Lil Yachty

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Something Just Like This: Chainsmokers & Coldplay

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Stay: Zedd & Alessia Cara

9.

XO Tour Lif3: Lil Uzi Vert

10. Sign Of The Times: Harry Styles

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ND I N G

November 2017

Justice League

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CHART TOPPERS

Justice League is the much awaited superhero blockbuster movie that follows the events of ‘Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice’ and ‘Wonder Woman’ Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s selfless act, Bruce Wayne/Batman (Ben Affleck) enlists the help of his newfound ally, Diana Prince/Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), to face an even greater enemy.

Together, Batman and Wonder Woman work quickly to find and recruit a team of metahumans to stand against this newly awakened threat. But despite the formation of this unprecedented league of heroes, comprising Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman (Jason Mamoa), Cyborg (Ray Fisher) and The Flash (Ezra Miller), it may already be too late to save the planet from an assault of catastrophic proportions.

Books

s Gadget Riddle Web World Horoscope Trivia Books Gadget UPCOMING RELEASES

The Man Who Invented Christmas

Dan Stevens, Christopher Plummer, Jonathan Pryce, Simon Callow, Donald Sumpter, Miriam Margolyes, Morfydd Clark, Justin Edwards, Ian McNeice The Man Who Invented Christmas tells the magical journey that led to the creation of Ebenezer Scrooge (Christopher Plummer), Tiny Tim and other classic characters from A Christmas Carol. Directed by Bharat Nalluri, the film shows how Charles Dickens (Dan Stevens) mixed real life inspirations with his vivid imagination to conjure up unforgettable characters and a timeless tale, forever changing the holiday season into the celebration that it is today.

Daddy’s Home 2 Wonder

Julia Roberts, Jacob Tremblay, Owen Wilson, Mandy Patinkin, Ali Liebert, Crystal Lowe, Daveed Diggs, Izabela Vidovic Based on the New York Times bestseller, Wonder tells the inspiring and heartwarming story of August Pullman, a young boy born with a facial deformity, who joins a mainstream school, for the first time in the fifth grade. As his family, his new classmates, and the larger community all struggle to discover their compassion and acceptance, Auggie just wants to convince his new classmates that he is an average kid

BOOK REVIEW

Hardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm, and Confidence

Alessandra Ambrosio, Anastasia Sanidopoulos Mousis, Didi Costine, John Cena, John Lithgow, Linda Cardellini, Mark Wahlberg, Mel Gibson, Owen Vaccaro,Scarlett Estevez, Will Ferrell Father and stepfather, Dusty (Mark Wahlberg) and Brad (Will Ferrell) have joined forces to provide their kids with the perfect Christmas.

Their newfound partnership is put to the test when Dusty’s old-school, macho Dad (Mel Gibson) and Brad’s ultra-affectionate and emotional Dad (John Lithgow) arrive just in time to throw the holiday into complete chaos.

Author: Rick Hanson In Hardwiring Happiness, Dr. Hanson presents a simple method that uses the hidden power of everyday experiences to build new neural structures of happiness, love, confidence and peace. He suggests four steps to work on a daily basis, to build strengths into the brain to balance its ancient negativity bias and make contentment and a powerful sense of resilience the new normal.

The Marshmallow Test: Mastering Self-Control

Author: Walter Mischel Psychologist Walter Mischel, who designed the Marshmallow Test, explains what self-control is and how to master it. He outlines how self-control can be mastered and applied to challenges in everyday life, whether it is weight control, quitting smoking, overcoming heartbreak, making major decisions or planning for retirement. He proves that the ability to delay gratification is critical for a successful life, predicting higher SAT scores, better social and cognitive functioning, a healthier lifestyle and a greater sense of self-worth.

The Running Dream

Author: Wendelin Van Draanen This inspirational novel tells the story of Jessica whose dreams are shattered when she loses a leg in a car accident. It traces her struggle to put herself back together and learn to dream bigger than ever before. With the support of family, friends, a coach, and her track teammates, Jessica is able to not just walk, but run again. She, however, wants to cross the finish line with a girl named Rosa, who has Cerebral Palsy.

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Chill Out

Movies

WEB WORLD

Kids, learn to be healthy Healthy habits should start young, and that is exactly what LearntobeHealthy.org teaches you

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ith options for free trial or online registration, LearntobeHealthy.org presents a classroom ambience to bring home the importance of inculcating healthy habits among children. It is a storehouse of web-based health science education activities that are accompanied by lesson plans, which can be incorporated into a classroom setup or in one’s home.

Visitors to the site can either enter the Virtual Classroom or explore a variety of resources for educators and families as well as children of different ages. The virtual classroom requires one to be signed in to explore the over 130 standards-based, engaging health lessons plans for students on Nutrition & Fitness, Mental Health (including bullying prevention), Adolescence, Tobacco and Inhalants, Dental Health and The Five Senses. It provides a Learning Management System with an educator dashboard to track student progress, customise curriculum and track student last logins.

LearntobeHealthy is an e-learning resource by the Byrnes Health Education Centre in Pennsylvania. The site provides opportunities for students to utilise the ‘Health Log’, which encourages journaling the food consumed to help maintain healthy weight as well as monitor overall fitness. The Health Log also offers a variety of resources and includes a food group guide.

LearntobeHealthy.org also provides other online health resources and links to create additional tools for educators, parents as well as kids seeking more quality health education content.

Riddle Time

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What do you call a sleeping bull?

Why did the banana go to the Doctor?

Why is England the wettest country?

What belongs to you but others use more?

What did the little mountain say to the big mountain?

November 2017

Riddle Time Answers ( October 2017)

1 2 3 4 5

What do you call a Bee who is having a bad hair day?

Answer: A Frisbee.

What kind of shorts do clouds wear?

Answer: Thunderwear.

What kind of shoes do all spies wear?

Answer: Sneakers.

Why was the math book sad?

Answer: Because it had too many problems.

How do you communicate with a fish?

Answer: Drop him a line!

Books

s Gadget Riddle Web World Horoscope Trivia Books Gadget GADGET NOTES Battery based on sodium

With global warming making a move towards renewable solar and wind energy a necessity, industrial observers are predicting a growing need for battery farms to store power and provide electricity – at viable prices. It has already been established that battery based on sodium may offer more cost-effective storage than lithium and now researchers in Stanford have developed a sodium-based battery (based on a compound related to table salt) that can store the same amount of energy as a state-of-the-art lithium ion. Researchers believe their approach has the price and performance characteristics to create a sodium ion battery costing less than 80 percent of a lithium ion battery with the same storage capacity.

Smart bandage for faster healing

Make way for smart bandage, which can heal better and faster. Researchers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Harvard Medical School and MIT have designed a smart bandage that could eventually heal chronic wounds and even battlefield injuries. The bandage consists of electrically conductive fibres coated in a gel, which can be individually loaded with infection-fighting antibiotics, tissue-regenerating growth factors, painkillers or other medications. The postage stamp size microcontroller, which could be activated by a Smartphone or other wireless device, will send small amounts of voltage through a chosen fibre to heat the fibre and its hydrogel, releasing the medication it contains.

Smart glasses for deaf theater fans

London’s National Theatre is using augmented reality to make its performances more accessible for hard of hearing customers, with the help of Epson’s latest smart glasses. It launched a trial, in which deaf and hearing-impaired customers were supplied with the eyewear, which displays subtitles in their field of vision wherever they are sitting. The trial will run for a year with the support of tech consultancy Accenture. The always-on service will run in all three of the organisation’s theaters, and will be supplemented by always-on audio description for visually impaired customers by April 2019.

Bites

J

ohnny walked into his office one day and saw his coworker looking particularly sour. “What is wrong buddy?” asked Johnny.

His coworker looked up sulkily and said, “You remember last month how my Grandmother’s sister passed on and left me $2,000?”

“Yes,” said Johnny, nodding his head.

“And you remember how the month before that her brother passed on and left me $5000?” his coworker continued. “Well, this month is almost over,” he said, with a wave of his hand, “and… Nothing!”

B

rian, a telemarketer, called a Mr. Smith’s house to make his sales pitch. Mrs. Smith answered the phone. She was very friendly and was the type of lady that helps a telemarketer get through a long day. After some pleasantries, the

telemarketer asked if Mr. Smith was in.

“No, I’m sorry”, she replied, “I’m afraid he doesn’t live here anymore.”

“Oh”, said the disappointed telemarketer, “I’m sorry to hear that ma’am. Do you happen to have his new number?”

“Sure thing!” the lady replied, listing off his new number.

The telemarketer hung up the phone and quickly called the new number, to hear a recorded voice say, “Thank you for calling Green Acres Cemetery…”

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Chill Out

Movies

FUTURESCOPE

November 2017

Scorpio

(October 23 – November 21) Make merry, you have begun one of your yearly personal pleasure peaks. This is a perfect time to get the body and image the way you want it. Go ahead, pamper your body. Finances may have been a little difficult this year, but this month will usher in prosperity. However, it is best not to get into any financial speculations.

Be ready for some personal dramas. Take a break from career activities and focus on the home, family and your emotional wellness.

Aries

Arian, if you involved in personal transformation, this will prove to be a a more productive month. Remember to place health and energy on top priority; indulge in some detox regime if you can. Look forward to some happy travel opportunities. College or post-graduate students can savour success this month.

Your career is set to receive a boost.

Expect pay rise.

Taurus

Your strong career focus will pay dividends and make this a fruitful month on your career front. However, you need to enhance it by participating in charitable and altruistic activities, which are more important than your professional achievements. You are in for a happy romantic or social meeting during this month; single Taureans are sure to meet someone significant.

Gemini

You are entering a yearly love and social peak. Your emphasis on health is paying off. This will be crucial during the latter part of the month when health might become more delicate. Although the conditions are not as bad as it was a

couple of months ago, this is still not your best period for energy. Ensure that you get enough sleep and rest.

gadgets. You’re in harmony with the ‘money people’ in your life.

Cancer

This is a period for spiritual breakthroughs.

Generally speaking, most of the problems we face are, in reality, spiritual problems.

So, when a breakthrough happens, all these other things are inclined to fall into place. This is exactly where you stand. It is time to get right spiritually. It will give you a higher perspective on things.

You might notice that your personal independence and personal power are starting to decline. This calls you to cultivate your social skills. Your good comes through others now and you need their good will. This is a very good month for being involved with children and children figures in your life. Health still needs watching. Don’t let financial ups and downs impact on your health. Leo Shift your focus to home, family and emotional wellness rather than on the career. This is an important month for those of you in therapy. Even those not in formal therapies will receive nature counselling this month. This is the right time to become more emotionally honest.

Emotional harmony will usher in fun and there will be a new surge of creativity.

Virgo

You have been in a prosperous cycle all this year and it continues in the month ahead. There is good family support and a sound fiscal cooperation between you and the family. On another level, this is a time to focus on the home, family and your personal emotional wellness.

Career success is based on a stable and harmonious home life and a sense of emotional wellness.

Libra

Libran, let go of career issues for a while and concentrate on the home, family and your emotional wellness. You are still at a yearly financial peak and are enjoying pecuniary support of elders, bosses, parents and parent figures. Be thankful for the favour of friends. It’s beneficial to invest in high tech equipment and

Kendall Jenner (November 3, 1995)

Kendall Nicole Jenner is an American fashion model and television personality. Having earned popularity very early on for appearing in the E! reality television show ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’, Jenner has since grown into a model of repute, more so in a movement dubbed as ‘the Instagirl era’ by Vogue magazine, or ‘Social Media Modeling’ by Harper’s Bazaar, where models are chosen for their online presence and social media following.

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November 2017

Sagittarius

Capricorn

Career continues to do wonders to your life. Do not be afraid of being creative or go off the beaten track in career matters.

You could even enhance your career through charitable work or through nonprofit kinds of projects. Finance is much improved over previous month; however, it is prudent to postpone major purchases or financial decisions. Your health too is better than the past month.

Aquarius

You are more independent and dynamic this month – almost fearless. You seem to want to deliver results in a hurry. You are more able to get your way in life and people. You have more power to change conditions to your liking.

Career is always very active and productive this month. There will be a vast improvement in health and energy during this period.

Pisces

Career is the major headline this month.

You are in one of your strongest career periods of the year and that is because you work harder than your competitors.

Your social connections are playing a role as well - you would want someone of influence and position, someone who can further your career. Your love life seems happy as well. Singles will meet harmonious kinds of.

Books

s Gadget Riddle Web World Horoscope Trivia Books Gadget

WEIRD NEWS Psychic games

A self-proclaimed psychic who was paid $3.5 million by an elderly woman for cleansing her ‘demons’, is guilty of trying to avoid paying taxes. The psychic, Sally Ann Johnson, provided ‘healing’ services to a resident of the island of Martha’s Vineyard, for more than seven years. She ran businesses including Psychic Match Inc and Flatiron Psychic, and called herself a Romani ‘spiritual consultant’, despite educational qualifications. She told the court that she did not pass even the second grade. The court found that Sally was using the alias Angela Johnson to evade taxes. She had directed the woman to make payments in the name of Sally Johnson and another of her businesses, Stones of the World. She then made large cash withdrawals from those accounts and also added charges on a credit card held in the woman’s name.

Fitnes through ages Were our ancestors as obsessed with fitness as we are today?

A quick stroll through fitness history reveals that our forefathers didn’t really need to indulge in any fitness activities, as life completely revolved around physical tasks, even extreme activities, to sustain life.

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Wanted man challenges cops on Facebook

A wanted man has found a new way to turn himself in.

The wanted man, who calls himself ‘Champagne Torino’ on Facebook, told police that he would surrender if they get 1000 Facebook shares. The situation arose after Torino left a message on a post regarding a home invasion, which was not taken kindly by the admin, who threatened to ban him from the page. This threat sparked his competitive nature and he promised to turn himself in if the department’s next post got 1,000 shares. He even promised to bring along a dozen doughnuts and to pick up every piece of litter around local schools. The department accepted the challenge and, of course, won.

Longest dog’s tongue

Mochi, a fluffy St. Bernard, is the Guinness World Record holder for the longest dog’s tongue. Her tongue measures an impressive 7.31 inches, from snout to tip. 8-year old Mochi lives with her adopted parents, Carla and Craig Rickert, in South Dakota, who say she is a comic relief to them.

Although Mochi is the current world record holder for longest dog’s tongue, the longest ever belongs to a boxer named Brandy, whose tongue stretched to 17 inches; she died in 2002.

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Primitive man used his athleticism as a tool for hunting and gathering.

With civilisation came empires and some of the renowned ancient ones were built on a fitness oriented mentality; in fact, physical fitness was a top priority to ensure the strength and longevity of their empires.

The Greek-Macedonian Empire is regarded as one of the fittest empires to date.

Chinese and Indian empires used athleticism not only for military purposes but also for health.

During the Renaissance period, many intellectual thinkers underscored the positive correlation between being fit and intellect.

The industrialisation period in the U.S. and Europe saw a decline of fitness based activities.

The early 20th Century, however, saw a new movement in gymnastics and general fitness in the West.

The Great Depression put fitness on hold, as the growing financial crisis received all the attention.

The modern fitness movement is attributed to the military competition between nations during WWII and the cold war.

In the 21st Century, fitness and nutrition, alongside spiritual stability, is considered to be the fundamentals of healthy living

November 2017

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